Alarming results of a random drug-testing operation conducted in Maitland, Cessnock and Singleton this week over two days showed a staggering 50 drivers had drugs in their systems.
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Of 55 drivers tested on Wednesday, 21 had been taking drugs and tested positive to methamphetamines (ice), ecstasy or cannabis.
On Thursday, the first figures in were even higher: 12 drivers had drugs in their system in the Cessnock area, eight around Maitland and nine around Singleton.
Results on the number of random tests carried out were still being compiled on Thursday night.
The operation was to continue on Friday.
“I have seen higher results than this,” Senior Constable Gary Jorgensen, from the Random Drug Testing Unit mobile laboratory, said.
“But they came at festivals and concerts where large numbers of people were present.
“These results have come during everyday driving – they are very worrying.”
The operation was launched on Wednesday after intelligence received from the Central Hunter local area command was examined.
“To find out that 21 out of 55 people in this area [on Wednesday] were driving with drugs in their systems is very alarming,” the Random Drug Testing Unit commander Inspector Steve Blair said.
“These results are very disturbing and far too bloody high.
“The figures are ridiculous.
“This cannot and will not be tolerated.
“It is danger with a capital D. So we will be back.”
Drivers in the Maitland area had not been drug tested for several year but police said that if the results showed a need for more operations that’s what would happen.
The preliminary roadside tests detect the presence of the active ingredients in cannabis, ice and ecstasy, but how much is present is unknown until the samples undergo further testing at a laboratory.
Arrests are made and charges laid when the results of those tests are known.
“The tests show the presence in a person’s system of illicit drugs, but we don’t know how much of the substances had been taken,” Inspector Blair said.
Seven members of the Random Drug Testing Unit were in action during the campaign, able to call in other experts
or further resources where these are needed.
Everyone tested for drugs on Thursday proved negative to alcohol.
“People must be made aware of the dangers of driving after taking drugs and we hope the results of these three-day random tests in the Hunter will help to highlight this,” Senior constable Jorgensen said.
“We have zero tolerance to driving with alcohol and drugs.
“It will always remain that way.”
