Pubdate: Wed, 02 Jan 2008
Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
Copyright: 2008 The Sydney Morning Herald
Contact:  http://www.smh.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/441
Author: Jordan Baker

SECURITY GUARDS NOT SUBJECT TO DRUG TESTS

MOTORISTS and train drivers face tougher drug and  alcohol checks 
than private security guards, even  though many guards use guns and 
some are suspected of  having links to drug dealers, bikie gangs and 
organised  crime.

The state's 32,000 licensed bouncers and crowd and  venue controllers 
are not required to face random drug  tests, despite concerns that 
the use of alcohol, drugs  and steroids could make security guards aggressive.

Sources within the industry have told the Herald drug  testing could 
be a more effective way to supervise the  industry than fingerprint 
or background checks, because  corrupt guards might not have criminal records.

Australia's booming security industry is worth several  billion 
dollars a year. But police are concerned it has  been infiltrated by 
organised criminals who sell drugs  - particularly amphetamines - 
inside Sydney's  nightclubs and pubs.

The State Government recently introduced laws  disqualifying those 
with convictions relating to  terrorism, riot and stalking from 
holding a licence,  extending an existing ban on anyone with a 
history of  firearms, drugs or assault convictions.

The changes also included a "fitness to work" policy,  which gave 
employers the responsibility of developing  guidelines for their 
workers. However, it did not  specify the introduction of random drug 
and alcohol  tests.

The Christian Democrat MP Gordon Moyes is lobbying for  targeted drug 
testing of bouncers, crowd controllers  and venue controllers.

He introduced a private member's bill to Parliament in  2005 that he 
said would ensure crowd controllers were  not under the influence of 
drugs or alcohol and reduce  the prevalence of drug dealing in 
nightclubs and  hotels.

"There's no question we'd clean up the industry," he  said. "There 
have been far too many deaths. [Violence  between bouncers and 
patrons] is basically a nightly  occurrence in places like 
Darlinghurst and Kings  Cross."

He presented a letter signed by several academics to  Parliament that 
said bouncers had "enormous scope" for  hidden misconduct because 
they worked in venues with  high alcohol consumption and bravado 
among young male  patrons. "The primary cause for concern is the use 
of steroids and amphetamines that contribute to aggressive  behaviour 
and impaired performance," the letter said.

The chief executive of the Australian Security Industry  Association, 
Bryan de Caires, said he was working with  a drug-testing kit 
provider to give companies a  cost-effective way to test their 
employees. He said  companies had to be responsible, because they 
faced  liability issues if there was any kind of problem.

"You want people out there who are doing what they're  supposed to do 
in a state that makes them capable of  doing it."

Mr de Caires said many security companies were moving  away from 
giving their employees guns, because the  risks were too great.

A spokesman for the Police Minister, David Campbell,  said the 
Government was not opposed to Dr Moyes's bill.  However, there were 
problems such as the cost, the  effect on the present system and 
administration.

The Government had introduced reforms in September,  including a 
licensing system to ensure new entrants  were of good character, he said.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart