Pubdate: Thu, 17 May 2007
Source: Border Mail (Australia)
Copyright: 2007 Border Mail
Contact:  http://www.bordermail.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1017
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

DRUG TESTING FOR LAWYERS

A PROMINENT Victorian lawyer and former head of the  National Crime
Authority wants random drug testing  introduced for lawyers.

The legal profession has vehemently rejected his  claims, but
Melbourne QC Peter Faris says he has  information suggesting a drug
problem among some senior  lawyers in Victoria and NSW.

"The information I get from other lawyers, and  anecdotally, is that
there has been quite a problem  with high flyers in the legal
profession in NSW and  Victoria using cocaine for a number of years,"
he said.

Mr Faris, who specialised in criminal law, has been  practising law
since 1963, and was chairman of the  National Crime Authority from
1989 to 1990.

He said he had seen the effect of drugs on some lawyers  he had faced
across the bar in court.

"They don't look well, they're sweaty, they seem to be  hyped up," he
said.

"Over a number of days, their behaviour is erratic.

"Some days you can talk to them and they're normal and sensible.

"Other days they're quite unreasonable."

Mr Faris said that lawyers were no different from other  members of
the community and that it should not come as  a shock that some in the
legal profession could have a  problem with substance abuse.

"I don't think it's any surprise is it?" Mr Faris said.

"We have the footballers and drug problems, we have the  entertainment
celebrities and drug problems."

"Lawyers are in some ways at the top of society,  particularly senior
lawyers, they've got plenty of  money.

"Why should it come as a shock that anyone is using cocaine?"

But Victorian Bar Council chairman Michael Shand QC  said Mr Faris's
claims could not be substantiated.

"These comments from Mr Faris are a nonsense," Mr Shand  said.
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MAP posted-by: Derek