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West is best for roadside drug testing
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Editorial: Nadine Lyford
Photography: Adam Trafford, The Courier
Police from seven of Victoria’s smallest communities in the state’s west have joined the effort to catch drivers who take to the road with drugs in their system.
The ability to conduct drug tests is now part of the arsenal of police working in Skipton, Harrow, Lake Bolac, Wycheproof, Manangatang, Stanhope and Edenhope following a successful trial earlier this year.
Western Region Superintendent Peter Greaney said motorists in the west of the state can expect to be drug tested more often.
“Prior to the trial, drug testing was done predominately by specialist units, including state and local highway patrol units, the Heavy Vehicle Unit, and the Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section,” Supt Greaney said.
“The inclusion of these one-person stations means every police vehicle in these remote areas could potentially do a roadside drug test.”
Despite making up little more than 20 per cent of the state’s population, Supt Greaney said more than half of the lives lost on Victoria’s roads are in regional areas.
“It’s a sad reality that regional areas across Victoria are overrepresented when it comes to serious injury and fatal collisions, and drugs and alcohol are far too often underlying factors,” he said.
“Police in regional areas are part of the fabric of the community and attending collisions of people we know can be particularly devastating. The ripple effect in small communities can be huge – everyone tends to have some link.”
One of these rural police officers is Leading Senior Constable Craig Walker, who lives and works in the small town of Skipton.
“As the officer in charge of Skipton Police Station, my main concern is the safety of the community. I want to make sure our town is safe for people to move around, motorists and pedestrians alike,” Ldg Sen Const Walker said.
Situated on the Glenelg Highway and 52 kilometres south west of Ballarat, Skipton, with a population of less than 600, is one of the main routes to the South Australian regional hub of Mount Gambier, and is a popular stop for motorists.
Ldg Sen Const Walker said many of the drivers he drug tested early on in the trial, both locals and those travelling further afield, were surprised because they thought only Highway Patrol units conducted roadside drug tests.
“Word got around the town pretty quickly and if that means the fear of getting caught stops those who use drugs from getting behind the wheel, then that’s a good result.”
He said the reaction from the local community had been positive.
“The residents have been very supportive. There was a bit of interest when I first started doing the drug tests in the main street and locals want to get unsafe drivers off the roads as much as I do.”
Ldg Sen Const Walker’s message is clear.
“If you’re driving a vehicle, you can expect to be pulled over for a roadside drug test at any place and any time, so be warned – if you take drugs and drive, you will be caught,” he said.
Image Facing the test Skipton Leading Senior Constable Craig Walker knows the impact random drug tests can have on driver behaviour, even on the quietest country roads.
