According to police statistics one in five Hunter drivers tested for drug driving return a positive reading for either cannabis, methamphetamine or ecstasy.

The alarming figures have pushed the region to the top of the priority list and Maitland has received permanent drug screening equipment.

“Previously we have had to get it up from Sydney,” Highway patrol Senior Sergeant Tony Grace said.

“We were high on the priority list to get our own equipment, but they moved us up the list.

“It means more drug testing will be done in the Central Hunter.”

Read what the Mercury has to say here

On Wednesday the drug bus was set up at the Maitland Visitors Centre to train 12 officers in administering the screening tests.

In the coming months all highway patrol officers will be trained in drug screening and be able to administer saliva drug tests at random.

The screening involves a preliminary roadside test and if it comes back positive for drug use, the driver is taken to the bus for a second screening.

These saliva samples are then sent off for testing before charges are laid.

Maitland Highway Patrol has focused on drug drivers throughout all major holiday periods and long-weekends this year.

The high drug use figures led to multiple roadside operations, including the Easter blitz which saw 34 drivers arrested for drug driving in just two days.

On the Queen’s birthday long-weekend more than 80 drug tests were carried out in the Hunter and 26 returned a positive reading.

Police believed these results showed a dangerous attitude to safety on the Hunter’s roads.

“In the Hunter, one in five tests are coming back positive for drugs,” Senior Sergeant Grace said. ­

“The high number of incidents is why Maitland was given this equipment.”

“Driving under the influence of drugs continues to be a major focus in the Hunter.”