What drugs will be tested?
Police will ask you to provide a saliva sample
for the purpose of testing for:
- THC— The active ingredient in cannabis.
- Methylamphetamine — Also known as speed and ice.
- MDMA — The active ingredient in ecstasy.
How will saliva based roadside drug driving testing work?
Roadside drug testing allows police to conduct saliva testing in conjunction with random breath testing (RBT) or as a stand alone check. The roadside drug testing process operates in a similar way to RBTs.
What is the testing process?
You will undergo a simple and painless preliminary saliva test (screening test) which will take three to five minutes. If a negative result is returned you will be free to go. If a positive result (drug detected) is returned you will be taken to a police vehicle for a second saliva test. If the second saliva test is positive for drugs, your driver licence will be suspended for 24 hours and the remainder of the saliva sample will be sent for laboratory analysis.
Following a positive laboratory result, motorists will be notified and charged with a traffic offence for drug driving. If you are unable to provide a saliva sample you will be required to provide a specimen of blood for analysis.
What drug testing equipment is used?
The Cozart® Drug Detection System (DDS) which is an enhanced on-site saliva drug detection system. The Cozart® DDS system is recognized as the fastest and most reliable drug testing instrument currently available worldwide.
What level of drugs can be detected without penalty?
There will be zero tolerance. Any trace of the nominated drugs in your system and you can be penalised.
What are the penalties?
Any trace of illegal drugs in your system and the court may impose a fine of up to $1,050 and you could lose your licence for up to nine months for a first offence. If you are found drug driving a second time while an outstanding drug driving offence is still to be heard by a court, you will have your driver licence suspended until the matter is heard or finalised by a court.
How long after consuming illegal drugs can they be detected?
The saliva tests are designed to only react with the active ingredient of the relevant drug. The detection period for the active ingredient in the relevant drug varies depending on factors such as the quantity and quality of the drug that has been ingested, the frequency of use of the drug and the period of time since taking the drug.
Driving under the influence of drugs
If a police officer reasonably suspects that your driving ability has been impaired by any drug you may be required to provide a specimen of blood for analysis. If you fail to provide a specimen as required, or a drug is detected in your blood, you will be charged and required to appear in court. If convicted you could be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver licence for a period of time.
Prescription drugs
The following is a list of some of the prescription drugs you should avoid as it can return a positive drug detection.
- Slimming pills
- Codeine based pain killers. Panadeine, Codalgin, Dymadon, Nurofen Plus, Mersyndol and Aspalgin.
- Valium, Rohypnol, Serapax, Rivotril, Mogadon, Alepam, Alodorm, Antenex, Ducene, Normison and Temaze.
- Some anti-depressants.
- Polaramine, Avil and Actifed
- Sedatives and Tranquilizers
You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to mix your medications or to drink alcohol while on your medication and how the prescription drugs can affect you while driving. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for safe alternatives.
Always follow the recommended dose, read the information provided on the container or information provided with your medication, and never take someone else’s medication. Look out for warning messages.