Territory Politicians Would Face Random Drug Tests Under a Proposal Presented to the NT Parliament Yesterday. Under the move, believed to be an Australian first, the Territory's 25 elected members would face random tests for cannabis, opiates and amphetamines. But the Opposition Private Member's Bill is likely to fail. Opposition MP Stephen Dunham said his proposal was aimed at bringing politicians into step with other occupations where testing is required. It follows the announcement earlier this month that the entire Australian Defence Force would face random drug tests, after 47 out of 97 soldiers at Darwin's Robertson barracks tested positive to illicit substances. "I think in society there are a lot of groups _ sportsmen, professional drivers, pilots, our whole defence force and people who work on mining sites who are subject to random drug testing," Mr Dunham said. "I think that if politicians are inclined to make rules of that type they should abide by them. "I also believe that people in the wider society expect elected leaders to not only adhere to standards of behaviour and ethics, but maybe even have higher standards. "I don't think it's a problem to demonstrate to the people that an attitude of zero tolerance to illicit drugs is in our parliament." Mr Dunham said he expected some of the tests - to be conducted at least annually _ would return positive results. "It's possible (there will be positive readings) because the drug testing is fairly accurate and it can pick up drugs sometime after people have used them recreationally," he said. The Leader of Government Business and Police Minister Paul Henderson said the Government was unlikely to support the bid. "My first instinct is he hasn't identified a problem which he is seeking to cure with this Bill," Mr Henderson said. "I believe it is purely a political stunt." The Bill is expected to be debated early next year. [end]
Territory politicians would face random drug tests under a proposal presented to the NT Parliament yesterday. Under the move, believed to be an Australian first, the Territory's 25 elected members would face random tests for cannabis, opiates and amphetamines. But the Opposition Private Member's Bill is likely to fail. Opposition MP Stephen Dunham said his proposal was aimed at bringing politicians into step with other occupations where testing is required. It follows the announcement earlier this month that the entire Australian Defence Force would face random drug tests, after 47 out of 97 soldiers at Darwin's Robertson barracks tested positive to illicit substances. [continues 220 words]
One in three drivers of commercial passenger vehicles such as trucks, taxis and private hire cars in the Northern Territory used cannabis on the job, an industry group said today. NT Taxi Council president Julie Smith said drug use was rife in the CPV industry, with drivers potentially putting the safety of passengers at risk. The NT Government is investigating the claim, which it described as alarming. "It is an alarming claim, especially when it comes from a source within the industry," NT Transport Minister Kon Vatskalis told reporters. [continues 302 words]
A New South Wales psychologist is under investigation for allegedly setting up a public heroin injecting room. Fed up with finding more than 100 used syringes littering the garage of the Lismore house he uses as an office, Bruce Difficy said he decided to set up his own unofficial injecting facility in the northern NSW town. The garage, in a run-down area on the outskirts of the town, is now equipped with sharps bins, paper towels, seating and tea and coffee-making facilities. [continues 453 words]
