Qld random cocaine testing explained

It carries a penalty of over $2000, and drivers are on notice as Queensland police roll out their newest roadside testing regime.

The new cocaine testing device to be used by Queensland police in roadside stops. Picture: Steve Pohlner

More than 300 motorists tested positive to driving under the influence of drugs across the state during a police operation to crack down on road users in the school holidays, as officers prepare to test for cocaine to combat the drug scourge.

From June 24 to July 7, 309 people tested positive to drug driving and in the same period 1451 people were assessed as part of Operation Cold Snap, which ended on July 9.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Stream said it was disappointing to still see people doing the wrong thing, like drink-driving or not wearing seatbelts.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Christopher Stream with a new cocaine drug testing device. Picture: Steve Pohlner

During the two week period 522 people were caught under the influence of alcohol and 669 people were caught speeding.

“When you are a driver, you are responsible for all of those other people up on the road network, as well as the people that are in your car,” he said.

The new data comes as it was revealed Queensland drivers will be tested for cocaine for the first time in random roadside stops.

Mr Stream said the new tests were wipe tests that take about 10 minutes for the initial one.

“So the separate testing part is separated and wiped on the inside of the mouth and if that returns a positive then a second test is conducted,” he said.

“We have a roadside analyser that provides additional tests and again if that turns positive, its sent away to the Queensland Health laboratories for evidence testing.”

Mr Stream said they were monitoring the water testing which would show where the random drug patrols would need to be focused in.

Police Minister Mark Ryan. Picture: Steve Pohlner

In 2018 to 2019 the estimated consumption in kilograms per annum in Queensland was 714.1, in 2019 to 2020 it was 918.5, in 2020 to 2021 it was 845.3 and in 2021 to 2022 it was 570.1.

When asked why there had been a rise in the use of cocaine in Queensland he said, “there could be a number of contributing factors, changes in the cost, changes to availability in particular.

“So that’s something that collectively the QPS monitors very, very closely.

“If you are contemplating doing a line of cocaine, you should really think about it because the next line, your higher probability of being in is a drug testing line.”

But the new capability to do this drug testing without doing blood test comes much after New South Wales and other states.

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said Queensland didn’t have a widespread problem like the other states.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“There has only been certain tests that the police have had available to them, which didn’t test for cocaine previously,” he said.

“This is now just one extra tool for police to reinforce messages around responsible road use but also around detecting people who were doing the wrong thing.”

Mr Stream said they were waiting to make sure the testing was 100 per cent correct in terms of reliability before rolled out in Queensland.

Police commissioner Katarina Carroll said it was an additional tool to drug test now which was less intrusive than blood testing.