OUSLEY TRUCKS DRUGS SHOCK

One in every five trucks tested on Mt Ousley had traces of illegal drugs in
the driver's cabin, it was revealed yesterday.

The high number of positive tests in a four-week operation has shocked
police and could spark further crackdowns on one of Australias busiest
truck routes.

The Australian Trucking Association conceded some drivers took amphetamines
to stay awake, but said the problem was declining.

Operation Compass, which ended on Friday, was the first time Australian
Customs officers had backed NSW police in a traffic safety strategy.

Out of 50 heavy vehicles tested by the Ionscan - a high tech scanner that
can detect 45 illegal substances including amphetamines and narcotics in
concentrations of less than one billionth of a gram - nine recorded positive.

Wolloagong Highway Patrol Sergeant Mark Morrow said the results were
surprising.

"Given that the drivers let us test their vehicles voluntarily, we had more
positive scans than we expected." Sgt Morrow said.

"The information is used by us on a ground level and by Customs to look for
patterns in the area of drug distribution."

The scan tests - which led to the arrest of one driver on drug charges -
were not used as evidence, but as possible indicators of whether there was
"reasonable cause" to search vehicles.

"A driver has to agree to have swabs taken inside his cabin, and then if
the test proves positive, we've got an indication of whether there's
reasonable cause to search for drugs," Sgt Morrow said.

"Another reasonable cause might be a log book which shows long hours on the
road without a break."

Customs officials wiped small pieces of cloth over cabin surfaces,
including door handles and steering wheels, and then inserted the samples
into the portable Ionscan.

Within a few seconds, traces of substances showed on the computer screen.

The $100,000 scanner is so sensitive that people can wash their hands after
handling a drug and the machine will still detect the substance.

The Australian Trucking Association said drug use was a serious issue for
the industry but targeting drivers was only part of the solution.

"Drivers don't take drugs for fun, often there are unrealistic expectations
placed upon them by superiors, as well as customers who want their goods on
time," deputy chief executive officer Michael Apps said.

"It is great that we can intercept them and get them off the road if they
are taking drugs but we still need to look further at the bad working systems."

Transport Workers Union organiser Warwick Irvine said there was no doubt
there was illicit drug use in the industry but it was not something of
"general concern."

"We do have concerns about an operation that would tend to highlight the
fact that drug residue was found in one in five trucks, especially as the
drivers voluntarily took part," he said.

Other results from Operation Compass were 435 traffic infringement notices
issued, 348 heavy vehicles breached, three drink-driving charges, 13
traffic charges, 12 criminal charges, 13 parking infringements and 45
intelligence reports submitted.