University research to help keep drugs off our roads

Kaddie Pass

Honours student Stuart Cashmere is on the team that will conduct the tests Photo: Edward O'Daly

7 November 2006: The University is driving research into roadside drug testing in the ACT.

Similar to the implementation of random breath testing that has effectively reduced the number of deaths and injury from drink driving, a program for drug driving is being tested with volunteer drivers in the ACT.

In collaboration with the Australian Federal Police, the University of Canberra researchers will collect saliva samples from drivers randomly selected at ACT roadsides following random breath testing.

Recent data suggests that amphetamines and other illicit drugs are responsible for more than a quarter of road deaths in Victoria, NSW and Western Australia. This comes at a time when there has been a reduction in the number of drivers dying with high levels of alcohol detected.

Head of pharmacy Gabrielle Cooper said the partnerships involved in the research showed the ACT was taking the issue seriously.

"Many drugs affect our ability to drive safely. Current statistics indicate that drug driving is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Australia," Dr Cooper said.

"This study is vital to inform policy and implementation of drug driver testing in the ACT. The collaboration between the University of Canberra, the Australian Federal Police, industry partners and our financial grant supporters from NRMA ACT Road Safety Trust and the Healthpact Research Centre for Health Promotion and Wellbeing show the commitment the ACT has to road safety."

Participants in the anonymous study will be asked to provide information about their past drug driving habits via a questionnaire. This will provide the first data on self-reported drug driving habits of ACT drivers.

They will then be asked to provide a saliva sample using commercially available collection devices. The samples will be 'de-identified' and will be used to test the reliability and usability of commercially available test kits. The samples will be tested at a forensically accredited laboratory that is a research partner in the project.

The project is not aimed at catching drugged drivers. The information collected, which will consist of a questionnaire and saliva test, will be de-identified and therefore completely anonymous. No incriminating evidence will be related back to the Police or to the individual. The researchers will be positioned some distance from the police so conversations will remain confidential. Participants will receive a $10 coffee voucher for their involvement.

The ultimate aim of the project is to provide data on drug driving for policy development and implementation.  It is also hoped that the research will lead to the preparation and readiness of the ACT introducing roadside drug testing programs similar to random breath testing which has significantly reduced the numbers of fatal road deaths in Australia.

Currently the police are able to test any driver they suspect to be driving under the influence of drugs and a blood sample is taken.