Pubdate: Thu, 28 Sep 2006
Source: Age, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2006 The Age Company Ltd
Contact:  http://www.theage.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5
Author: Emily Dunn

BUS AND TRUCK DRIVERS USING DRUGS

Bus, truck and taxi drivers are among the biggest users  in the 
workforce of amphetamines, including "ice", a  party drug that causes 
psychotic episodes.

More than a third of amphetamine users reported turning  up to work 
under the influence in the past three  months. Use of the drug is 
also prevalent in the  hospitality, agriculture and construction industries.

The findings come from the National Centre for  Education and 
Training on Addiction at Adelaide's  Flinders University. They will 
be presented today at  the Australasian Amphetamine Conference, the 
first national conference to examine amphetamine use in  Australia.

Using responses from the 2004 National Drug Strategy  Household 
Survey, which surveyed almost 30,000 people  about patterns of drug 
use, researchers found workers  aged between 18 and 29 were the most 
likely to use  amphetamines.

NSW Police have announced random drug testing of  drivers for speed, 
cannabis and ecstasy, after research  from the NSW Health Commission 
found one-in-five truck  drivers reported using illegal drugs while working.

Professor Anne Roche, from Flinders University, said  more than 12 
per cent of male workers aged 18 to 29 --  and 9 per cent of females 
- -- reported using  amphetamines in the past 12 months.

"Of the people who use illicit drugs there are many  more people who 
are in paid employment than who are  not," she said.

"Research also indicates amphetamine use is on the rise."

But the Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union said few  public transport 
workers had tested positive for drugs  or alcohol.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine