Pubdate: Fri, 23 Jan 2004
Source: Waikato Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2004 Independent Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/486
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

MP SLAMS DRUG TESTING

(NZPA) - Green MP Nandor Tanczos has dismissed as "ill-conceived and 
unworkable" a planned police trial to test drivers for drugs.

The Waikato Times revealed yesterday that police plan to start trialling 
drug tests for motorists at checkpoints by June.

Mr Tanczos said he supported keeping impaired drivers off the road, but 
said current tests can only prove if someone has used cannabis "at some 
point in the past" --- not whether they were presently stoned.

He said because police hadn't established a threshold to charge drivers, 
the trial was pointless.

Police national road safety manager Superintendent Steve Fitzgerald said 
drug testing would not take any extra staff. National police spokesman Tony 
Ryall said he supported the trial.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom