DRUG TESTING FOR LAWYERS

A PROMINENT Victorian lawyer and former head of the National Crime
Authority wants random drug testing introduced for lawyers.

The legal profession has vehemently rejected his claims, but
Melbourne QC Peter Faris says he has information suggesting a drug
problem among some senior lawyers in Victoria and NSW.

"The information I get from other lawyers, and anecdotally, is that
there has been quite a problem with high flyers in the legal
profession in NSW and Victoria using cocaine for a number of years,"
he said.

Mr Faris, who specialised in criminal law, has been practising law
since 1963, and was chairman of the National Crime Authority from
1989 to 1990.

He said he had seen the effect of drugs on some lawyers he had faced
across the bar in court.

"They don't look well, they're sweaty, they seem to be hyped up," he
said.

"Over a number of days, their behaviour is erratic.

"Some days you can talk to them and they're normal and sensible.

"Other days they're quite unreasonable."

Mr Faris said that lawyers were no different from other members of
the community and that it should not come as a shock that some in the
legal profession could have a problem with substance abuse.

"I don't think it's any surprise is it?" Mr Faris said.

"We have the footballers and drug problems, we have the entertainment
celebrities and drug problems."

"Lawyers are in some ways at the top of society, particularly senior
lawyers, they've got plenty of money.

"Why should it come as a shock that anyone is using cocaine?"

But Victorian Bar Council chairman Michael Shand QC said Mr Faris's
claims could not be substantiated.

"These comments from Mr Faris are a nonsense," Mr Shand said.