ROADSIDE DRUG TESTS IN TWO YEARS

ROADSIDE screening devices capable of detecting "drug-drivers" are
expected to be introduced within two years, The Scotsman has learned.

The UK government is set to give the green light by January for the
development of new equipment to catch people who get behind the wheel
after taking illegal drugs.

Home Office sources say manufacturers have already been told about the
likely requirements of the kits, which will look for drugs such as
heroin, cannabis, Ecstasy, cocaine and amphetamines.

It is anticipated that a pilot scheme will be launched early next
year, after which they will be made available to police forces across
the country.

Senior officers are anxious to see the introduction of a screening
device to replace the current method of testing, which involves
putting drivers through a series of physical tests to determine
whether they are impaired by drugs.

A study by Glasgow University found that more than a third of
motorists who drive after taking illegal drugs nevertheless pass the
roadside sobriety tests. Even some with heroin in their system managed
to beat the test.

The Home Office "type approval" rules are expected to be issued later
this year, identifying which substances have to be picked up and the
levels at which a positive reading will be triggered.

A source said the department's scientific development branch was
expected to release its specification "within the next few months",
after which pilot schemes would be run in selected police forces.

"All being well, we would look for them to be introduced on Britain's
roads within two years," the source said.

It is understood the list of drugs to be screened by the new equipment
is likely to include opiates, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine,
methamphetamine (Ecstasy), methadone and benzodiazepan.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Learmonth, of the Association of Chief
Police Officers in Scotland, said: "Whether people are fit to drive
and if there is anything impairing them when they are behind the wheel
is something we have to be able to identify.

"If somebody can produce a piece of equipment that allows us to
undertake roadside screening for drugs, which would give us a clear
indication whether drivers are impaired, that would assist us greatly
and we would welcome that."

Oxfordshire-based Cozart developed the Rapiscan drug-screening kit,
already used by the Home Office for testing offenders. It involves
taking a swab from the subject's mouth, which is dispensed on to
cartridges. Each cartridge is inserted into a handheld reading device,
which gives a positive or negative result for a particular drug within
five minutes.

It is thought this device will be one of those tested for use by
traffic police.

A spokeswoman for the firm said: "Police have told us they are happy
with the devices and want to use them for detecting drug-drivers. The
problem with the roadside impairment tests is that they are not
precise and suspects have to be taken away for a blood test to
determine the level of drugs in their system. Our device gives police
an answer within minutes."

Research commissioned by the Scottish Executive published last week
found the absence of a scientific roadside test encourages people to
drive after taking drugs, and called for police to be equipped with a
more reliable test. Experts estimate up to 11 per cent of Scots have
driven after taking illegal drugs.

The survey found 72 per cent of respondents felt it was unlikely that
someone driving under the influence of drugs would be caught. Just
over half (55 per cent) of drug-drivers were not concerned about being
caught.