THE NSW Government has introduced legislation to allow random roadside testing of drivers to test for the presence of cannabis, amphetamine or ecstasy.
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The roadside tests involve a saliva test using portable drug screening machines.
Random drug testing drug units are dispersed regularly all over the state.
The testing method is by saliva swab (an ‘oral fluid test’) to test for the presence of THC (the psychoactive ingredient of cannabis), methamphetamine and ecstasy.
If the saliva testing device indicates positive, then a further saliva sample may be taken for analysis, with the test result being provided as evidence in court.
It is an offence to drive with THC, methamphetamine or ecstasy present in the person’s oral fluid, blood or urine (although only a driver’s saliva will be tested in most cases).
It is also an offence to drive with morphine or cocaine, but these substances will not be tested by saliva swab.
As for the similar law about random alcohol testing, it is an offence to wilfully refuse to provide a saliva sample, and to consume a drug after driving and before undergoing a saliva test.
