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Roadside drug testing By Jaime Pitt-MacKay Jaime.p@theguardian.co.nz
Proposed legislation allowing police to test drivers for impairing drugs is being welcomed by a local alcohol and drug agency, but the timing is being questioned by a local MP. Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter announced last week that police will be given new powers to conduct random roadside oral fluid drug testing to deter, detect and prosecute drugged drivers
in order to save lives. The change will allow police to test drivers for the presence of drugs and impairing medication anywhere, any time, just as they can for alcohol. “Drivers who test positive for the presence of drugs will be fined and immediately suspended from driving for a minimum of 12 hours,” Genter said. “Drivers will also face criminal penalties if they fail a compulsory impairment test and blood tests confirm impairing levels of drugs in their system.”
Ashburton Community Alcohol and Drug Service general manager Chris Clark welcomed the announcement. “It is really good news, we know there are people out there taking drugs and we know that they are going to be driving,” she said. “Up until now that has been hard to detect. Driving impaired is still driving impaired whether it is impaired by alcohol or drugs.” Rangitata MP Andrew Falloon said he is supportive of roadside drug testing, but as
the Government have not released the legislation more details about the process are not known. “Roadside oral fluid testing for drugs is in place in the UK, Canada and Australia, we tried to pass similar legislation last year but it was voted down by the Government,” he said.
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