Queensland cops add cocaine to list of roadside drugs tested

Queensland police have added nose candy into the mix of roadside drug tests.

The Brisbane Times reported that motorists will now be tested for the illicit substance by drug van tests when driving.

According to the outlet, it comes after the state had the country’s highest road toll last year, as 299 people died, while 61 were killed due to crashes that involved a drug driver.

Along with the cocaine, the roadside drug testing program will still detect the presence of MDMA, THC and methamphetamine.

Cocaine will now be detected in random roadside drug testing across Queensland. pic.twitter.com/6E3WGy3wUS

— Transport and Main Roads Queensland (@TMRQld) July 10, 2023

Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Stream said there had been a 30 per cent increase in drugs detected in drivers, which urged police to expand the list of substances.

“Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol exhibit impaired judgement, memory, coordination and reaction time,” he said.

“Choosing to drive when affected by drugs is a decision that has a direct consequence on your life and those around you.”

According to The Courier Mail, from June 24 to July 7, 309 people tested positive for drug driving.

Mr Steam said it was disappointing to see that people were driving recklessly, adding that many were also found to be riding without a seat belt.

“When you are a driver, you are responsible for all of those other people up on the road network, as well as the people that are in your car,” he said, as per the outlet.

He added that the new wipe tests would swipe the inside of drivers' mouths.

If that test returns positive within 10 minutes, a second test is then conducted.

“We have a roadside analyser that provides additional tests and again if that turns positive, it's sent away to the Queensland Health laboratories for evidence testing,” he said.

“If you are contemplating doing a line of cocaine, you should really think about it because the next line, your higher probability of being in is a drug testing line,” he added.

Random drug screening has been used in Queensland for over 15 years, with police conducting approximately 50,000 random tests annually.