MS PATTEN — To ask the Minister for Training and Skills (for the Minister for Police): Of the 218 people who allegedly returned a positive result for drugs over the recent grand final long weekend how many were found to have prescription drugs in their system.
ANSWER:
I am advised that:
The Government is aware of the serious risks imposed by drug impaired drivers, and is committed to preventing dangerous and irresponsible behaviour on our roads. Victoria Police plays a crucial role by enforcing the road rules through finely balancing routine patrols, booze buses and special operations targeting high risk areas, or times of high risk, with a highly visible police presence. As part of this approach, Victoria Police conducts random roadside drug testing to detect drivers travelling while affected by certain illicit drugs.
The random roadside saliva testing is aimed at making Victoria’s roads safer for everyone by reducing the incidence of drug driving. The Government has announced a total of $17.7 million for new drug and booze buses and to undertake 100 000 roadside random drug tests per year, for the next two years.
As you are aware, on 11 November 2015, the Parliament agreed to an Inquiry by the Law Reform, Road and Community Safety Committee into, consider and report, no later than 30 March 2017 on the effectiveness of laws and procedures relating to illicit and synthetic drugs and prescription medication.
The Andrews Government looks forward to considering the issues arising from this inquiry.
I am advised that random drug testing screens for the three prescribed illicit drugs under the Road Safety Act 1986, which are cannabis, methylamphetamine and MDMA. It is an offence for a person to have any quantity of these drugs in their system.
The samples taken from random drug testing are not analysed for prescription drugs.
