Police dispute lack of gloves impacted Nimbin random drug test results

NSW Police have said that when an officer gave Green MP Cate Faehrmann a random drug test without gloves it would not affect the end result.

NO GLOVES: An image supplied by Greens MP Cate Faehrmann, which she said was taken by a staff member, allegedly shows the police officer conducting the RDT not wearing latex gloves, as she headed into Mardigrass on May 2, 2021. Image supplied

NSW Police have refuted a claim by Greens MP Cate Faehrmann, who alleged an officer who conducted her random drug test was not wearing gloves and therefore subjected her results to cross contamination.

On Thursday, NSW Police issued the following statement:

“Police are aware an incident involving an officer conducting a Roadside Drug Test (RDT) at Nimbin in early May.

“All officers conducting RDTs are required to wear gloves for hygiene purposes in accordance with NSW Police Force standard operating procedures (SOPS).

“The SOPS are based upon best practise for hygiene and do not affect the accuracy of testing or results.”

The police statement refutes claims made by Ms Faehrmann, who is also a spokeswoman for Harm Reduction and Drug Law Reform.

She said that a video showing her being tested as she headed into the 2021 MardiGrass revealed alleged breaches of the Standard Operating Procedures by the officer conducting the test.

Northern Star readers weighed in on the issue:

Cate Faehrmann – For the record, I don’t think any impaired drivers should be on our roads, whether that’s from legal drugs like alcohol and prescription medication or currently illicit substances like cannabis. But the fact is that these tests as they stand don’t test for impairment and people are being fined, ending up with a criminal record or losing their licence because they might have smoked a joint days or even weeks ago. Thee Roadside Drug Testing Regime must be repealed and reformed now so that it saves lives not ruins them.

Zacc Thomas – If you were within breathing distance of that event, you could test positive without any impairment. Big disconnect between impairment and intoxication in these tests.

Matt Goldsworthy – Drug tests should be done for actual drugs not plants that shouldn’t be illegal in the first place … oh right “they – are” actual drugs, So is cough medicine, I can buy a packet of pseudoefadrine over the counter and use it to make methamphetamine.

Last time I checked Ice was a tad worse on the scale than having a giggle with your mates.

Kate Rose – The laws need to be looked at. If you can be prescribed this as a medication then the laws need to change. Just because its in your system doesn’t necessarily mean your high and incapable of driving properly.

Bruce Jones – Kate Rose trouble is Kate … the laws have not been changed and just because it can be obtained on prescription doesn’t make it legal … I cannot use ANY drug obtained on prescription unless the prescription is issued in my name and is for my exclusive use.

Kate Rose – Bruce Jones I have a prescription, in my name for my use. 100% legal or wouldn’t have been sent to me by a dr. Cant drive though because of the laws. Hence why I said they need to be changed

Bruce Jones – Kate Rose has the packet/bottle got a warning on regarding the operation of machinery? I think the laws, as they stand, are adequate and in place for a reason.

Kate Rose – Bruce Jones yeah it does hence why I cant drive but because I have a joint of a night, doesn’t mean im incapable or even under the influence the next day. Or even days later.

Dani Aafjes – Bruce Jones I think what’s she’s getting at is if you were to consume medical marijuana you could loose your licence for up to two weeks after one dose. If you’re taking pain meds there is no possibility of getting in trouble nearly two weeks after you … See more

Daryl Sten – No it’s a drug you use it you’re responsible for your own actions end of story.

Michael Hidden – Daryl Sten but the point here is that the copper wasn’t using gloves as per protocol therefore the test could be contaminated by whatever persons test they’d handled previously.

Barbara Jackson – Same could happen if wearing gloves unless they were changed between tests.