MP SLAMS DRUG TESTING

(NZPA) - Green MP Nandor Tanczos has dismissed as "ill-conceived and
unworkable" a planned police trial to test drivers for drugs.

The Waikato Times revealed yesterday that police plan to start trialling
drug tests for motorists at checkpoints by June.

Mr Tanczos said he supported keeping impaired drivers off the road, but
said current tests can only prove if someone has used cannabis "at some
point in the past" --- not whether they were presently stoned.

He said because police hadn't established a threshold to charge drivers,
the trial was pointless.

Police national road safety manager Superintendent Steve Fitzgerald said
drug testing would not take any extra staff. National police spokesman Tony
Ryall said he supported the trial.