POLICE CHIEF IN PLEA FOR DRUG-DRIVE TEST KITS

THE number of doped-up drivers being caught under the influence of drugs in
the Highlands is soaring. And a senior police officer fears that officers
are still only seeing the "tip of the iceberg" of the problem.

Now Northern Constabulary's head of operations, Chief Superintendent Bruce
Duncan, is calling for more sophisticated testing to be introduced.

And that would see even more people being arrested and facing driving bans
for the crime.

Drink-driving has traditionally been the major problem on the roads for the
North force.

Breath tests give an instant indication if an offence has been committed in
the majority of cases.

But Chief Supt Duncan said road traffic police have seen a dramatic rise in
the number of people caught for drug-driving.

And the current initial detection method is the old-style impairment tests
such as walking in a straight line.

In the 12-month period until April this year, officers in the region
detected and detained 24 drivers believed to be under the influence of drugs.

And already in the three-month period until July this year 11 drivers have
been detained.

The same three months last year brought just three arrests.

Chief Supt Duncan said the recent rise may only be revealing the tip of the
iceberg and was down to better training among officers in spotting those
who could be impaired while driving.

He said he would like to see his officers have access to a more
comprehensive method in detecting those who are driving under the influence
of illegal and prescription drugs.

Tougher testing could be on its way within two years. The Home Office has
already drawn up a list of drugs such as heroin, cannabis, Ecstasy, cocaine
and amphetamines for which testing kits would screen. A pilot scheme is
expected to be launched early next year, and thereafter made available to
police forces across the country.

Chief Supt Duncan said: "The current series of tests which involve
assessing a drivers physical demeanour and ability to perform certain tasks
makes detecting low levels of drug impairment difficult. A roadside drug
screening device would be an improvement on those methods and be more
scientific."

Officers throughout the UK presently carry out a series of physical
examinations of drivers to determine whether their senses are impaired by
drugs.

Chief Supt Duncan said more than 180 officers throughout the Highlands are
now trained to detect drivers who could have taken illegal or prescription
drugs while behind the wheel.

If motorists fail the roadside "preliminary impairment test" - which
involves checking for dilated pupils, the drivers ability to walk in a
straight line, and seeing whether the motorist can touch their nose with
their finger - they have to have a blood test before they can be charged.

A drug "breathalyser", he said, would increase the chances of catching
drivers who flout the law.

Research commissioned by the Scottish Executive published last week
revealed that the lack of a scientific roadside test encourages people to
drive after taking drugs - and called for police to be equipped with a more
reliable test.

One drug screening kit already developed involves taking a swab from the
subject's mouth.

That is then put on to a cartridge which is inserted into a handheld
reading device, which gives a positive or negative result within five minutes.

An estimated 11 per cent of Scots have driven after taking illegal drugs.

"Being being able to reduce the number of drivers using illegal drugs or
driving while unfit through legitimate medication would make our roads far
safer," said Chief Supt Duncan.

"Drugs, like alcohol, make driving dangerous through a reduced reaction
time and poor hand-to-eye coordination."

At the moment it is not an offence to be driving with a certain level of
drugs in the bloodstream Chief Supt Duncan added: "Creating an offence of
driving with any illegal substance in you body would prevent anybody using
this loophole. With a device capable of detecting any such drugs, this
situation would be addressed.

"Research into the effects of drug driving have been carried out and there
are plans to try and make detection methods similar to drink driving."

* A total of 873 people were caught drink driving in the Highlands and
Islands last year.