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.