Pubdate: Thu, 23 Dec 2004
Source: Mercury, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2004 News Limited
Contact:  http://www.themercury.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/193
Author: Ellen Whinnett
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving)

STATE TO STICK WITH DRIVER DRUG TESTING

Problems with drug testing in Victoria do not spell the end of plans
to introduce drug driving tests in Tasmania, says Police Minister
David Llewellyn.

Victoria's road-side drug driver testing has been thrown into chaos
after the first man caught on the mobile testing kit was later cleared
by an independent laboratory of having drugs in his body.

Tasmania will introduce drug-driving tests next year and was expected
to introduce similar technology to that used in Victoria.

Mr Llewellyn said the Victorian problems showed Tasmania had been
right to proceed carefully with the introduction of the technology to
Tasmania.

"Earlier this year we had Liberal MHA Peter Gutwein carrying on and
calling for drug testing of drivers to be introduced immediately," he
said. "The Liberals even released a policy on it.

"It is important that we sort out all the complex issues, especially
regarding the technology, before rushing into something like this."

Victoria's mobile drug testing was hailed as the first of its kind in
the world. It was claimed it would detect cannabis, ecstasy and
amphetamines.

But before it even began earlier this month, concerns were expressed
by companies which said no accurate saliva tests for drugs had been
established anywhere in the world.

Liberals leader Rene Hidding spoke out in support of the Victorian
system, saying one inaccurate reading did not negate the need for drug
testing of drivers.

"Hypocritically the State Labor Government itself seemed satisfied
with the technology in place in Victoria for drug testing when it
announced just one month ago that it would introduce random drug testing."

Mr Llewellyn said the Government remained committed to drug-driving
legislation.

"As I said at the time, we firmly believe that drivers should be
tested for having drugs in their system and we are developing
legislation in this regard," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin