Shocking number of SA parents busted drug-driving on meth and dope while dropping their kids at school

Almost one in every 11 SA parents tested by police in targeted operations are being caught driving on meth or other drugs while dropping their kids at school.

Police have branded as “abhorrent” parents who are affected by drugs on the school run, with almost one in every 11 tested found to be positive.

Police figures released to the Opposition using Freedom of Information laws show 185 positive results from 2080 parents tested in 30 school zone operations by police since 2017.

While some illicit drugs could not be identified, 65 had taken meth, 27 smoked cannabis, and five had taken both.

“It is particularly abhorrent to think that a parent would endanger their own child by transporting children in a car after using drugs,” said Traffic Branch head Superintendent Bob Gray.

“Drug drivers are a danger to themselves and to all road users.

“Random drug testing of drivers is conducted throughout the year and dedicated drug testing operations are conducted at regular intervals – including specific operations targeting school zones.”

Superintendent Bob Gray says parents who drive while high are putting their children and other road users at risk. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

Drivers caught with illicit drugs in their system lose their licence for a minimum of three months and incur a $757 fine.

The police effort near schools has been increasing with five yearly school zone operations in 2017, seven in 2018, eight in 2019 and 2020, and two in the first three months of this year.

Opposition police spokesman Lee Odenwalder said the Opposition had asked for the figures to ensure police drug testing was being supported during a time of budget cuts.

“Our police officers have been doing an incredible job during the Covid pandemic, but it has clearly put unsustainable pressure on police resources,’’ he said.

“The Police Commissioner, Grant Stevens, told The Advertiser last month that SAPOL are ‘stretched from a resourcing point of view’ and that ‘what we are doing today is not something that we can continue doing in the long term’.

“Steven Marshall must also immediately abandon his planned $11.2 million cut to SAPOL in the coming financial year.”

But Police Minister Vincent Tarzia said the government had upped the testing program. “SAPOL’s targeted operations to detect drug drivers in school zones has increased … since 2018,’’ he said.

“The Marshall government will continue to work closely with SAPOL to stamp out drug driving. This behaviour is unacceptable.

“In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, SAPOL cadet training and protective security officer courses were fast-tracked to boost front line capability by 126 extra officers”.