Recently, South Australia made a significant step in enhancing road safety by including cocaine in its roadside drug testing pool. This move is in response to an increase in the use of, and deadly crashes linked to, the drug.
Queensland implemented the same initiative in July of last year, adding cocaine to their list of roadside illicit drug testing, which also includes alcohol, methamphetamines, MDMA, and THC.
The first state to implement roadside cocaine testing was New South Wales (NSW) in 2018.
The problem of drug-impaired driving
Driving under the influence of drugs poses several risks that could be just as bad if not worse than driving under the influence of alcohol. While impaired by alcohol, drivers are known to demonstrate slower reaction times, poor decision-making skills, impaired coordination, and overall disorientation.
Under the influence of cocaine, a person may become overconfident, more easily agitated, aggressive, and more likely to partake in dangerous behaviour. The penalties for drug driving are similar to drink driving penalties, characterised by license disqualifications, hefty fines, and even jail time for extreme cases.
In a statement released by the Queensland Government, a shocking 1 in 4 motorists tested returned a positive result for illicit drugs. In South Australia, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens noted that serious incidents involving drivers on cocaine have increased in the last five years, including nine fatal crashes.
The National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2023 also indicated a rise in the use of cocaine among Australians, from 11.2% in 2019 to 13.5% in 2022-23.
LEARN MORE: Australian Alcohol and Drug Trends 2024
Comprehensive roadside drug testing as part of the solution
Expanding the scope of roadside drug testing is essential for improving road safety, especially in light of these worrying trends in Australia. By testing for a wider range of substances, authorities can more effectively identify and remove impaired drivers.
Given the setting, saliva drug test kits are the most accurate and fastest way to test for drugs. Andatech’s DrugSense DSO8+ analyses a saliva sample and checks for eight different major drug groups, and alcohol.
All eight Australian states and territories have implemented roadside drug testing (RDT) laws since 2016 with Victoria being the first state in the world to introduce this procedure in 2003.
This was followed shortly afterwards by Tasmaina in 2005, South Australia in 2006. NSW, Queensland, and Western Australia adapted the law in 2007.
Although law enforcement in all states utilise RDTs, the drugs detected in their tests vary. As of the time of writing, only NSW, Queensland and South Australia test for cocaine. The drugs prioritised to be tested for by all states include cannabis, meth/amphetamines, and ecstasy.
Tests are conducted by analysing an oral sample. If a test is found to be indicate use of drugs, the sample is sent to a lab for confirmatory testing.
How these drug test kits work
Saliva drug test kits work by detecting specific drugs and their metabolites present in the saliva. It involves the following steps:
- Sample collection: A swab or pad is used to collect saliva from the mouth. The collected sample is then placed into a testing device with multiple strips that detect different drugs.
- Detection/chemical reaction: Each strip in the test device has antibodies that bind to specific drugs or their metabolites. If the target drug is present in the saliva, it triggers a chemical reaction, leading to a line on the strip.
- Interpretation: Most kits have control lines to ensure the test is valid. The presence or absence of test lines next to drug labels indicates if the sample is positive or negative, with colour changes showing drug presence.
Conclusion
Comprehensive drug testing reduces drug-related accidents and improves overall road safety by identifying and removing drivers under the influence of drugs.
The inclusion of cocaine in South Australia's roadside drug tests is a crucial step toward safer roads. Comprehensive drug testing not only enhances safety but also acts as a powerful deterrent against drug-impaired driving. At Andatech, we are proud to support these initiatives with our advanced testing solutions, ensuring that drivers can confidently and responsibly share the road.
