Mark McDonald.
ALMOST one in four motorists tested for illicit drugs in Mildura returned a positive reading, police say.
Mildura Highway Patrol this week said 12 motorists had tested positive from 52 roadside drug tests randomly conducted in the Mildura Police Service area since July
Sergeant Mark McDonald said police were alarmed by the high number of drug-driving motorists which is “a lot higher than the state average and a major concern for local police”.
“Since the start of the financial year, statistics reveal that almost one in four Mildura motorists tested for illicit drugs have returned a positive reading,” Sgt McDonald said.
The statistics coincided with the introduction of Mildura Police’s new drug-testing system.
“We started our new system of mailing the samples rather than having to drive them to
Melbourne,” Sgt McDonald said.
“The system starts with a roadside drug test which will indicate the presence of illicit drugs or not.
“If positive, the motorist is required to accompany police to the police station for a further oral fluid test.
“If positive, the oral fluid is sent for analysis by our forensics.
“If positive, the motorist is liable to then being charged with driving with drugs in their system.”
But it is not just the younger
generations flouting the law.
Last Thursday, a 50-year-old Mildura man tested positive for driving while under the influence of illicit drugs on the Calder Highway about 1.30pm.
The next day, Mildura Highway Patrol caught another 41-year-old Mildura man drug-driving along Kulkyne Way in Irrak about 10.20am.
Twelve hours later, police stopped a 30-year-old Mildura man who allegedly drove at 74km/h in a 60km/h zone along San Mateo Avenue and returned a positive reading.
For more of this story, purchase your copy of Thursday's Sunraysia Daily 20/09/2012.