POLICE TO CONDUCT RANDOM ROADSIDE DRUG TESTS

In an Australian first, the Victorian government today moved to give police
powers to conduct random roadside drug testing.

Under legislation now before state parliament, from July next year roadside
drug screening will be used to detect drivers affected by cannabis and speed
with a saliva test.

Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said drugs were involved in 27 per cent
of road fatalities last year.

"It clearly indicates that the taking of illicit drugs is a major factor of
similar proportions as the over-consumption of alcohol in fatalities on our
roads," he said.

"The police will be given this equipment as new tools in the road safety
campaign.

"It will be targeted to times and locations where it has been established
that there's excessive drug use."

The screening will require drivers to provide a saliva sample by sucking or
chewing on a disposable test cartridge.

Mr Batchelor said the test was designed to detect the presence of
methamphetamine (the active ingredient in speed) and THC (the active
component in cannabis).

But he said it would not detect over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

The initiative will be evaluated after 12 months of operation.