❓ The Leader of the Opposition questions the Minister for Community Safety about measures to combat drug-driving, particularly regarding cannabis, following its decriminalisation. The Minister acknowledges the dangers and outlines ongoing efforts to address the issue, including monitoring trials of THC measurement devices.
AnsweredQoN 171Legislative Assembly
Asked
7 April 2004
Member
Portfolio
Police and Emergency Services;
Justice; Community Safety
QuestionView source ↗
My question is to the minister in her capacity as Minister for Community Safety. I refer the minister to her statement in this House on 20 November last year in which she said - People driving under the influence of illegal party-style drugs and other drugs represent a danger to themselves and other road users. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson: Why don’t you be quiet over there. Mr C.J. BARNETT: It is constant. I ask the minister - (1) Is the minister aware that the drugs and driving research unit at the Swinburne University of Technology in Victoria recently found that increasing levels of tetrahydrocannabinol - the active chemical in cannabis - increasingly impaired the ability to maintain the steady position of a vehicle within the correct traffic lane and that increasing levels of THC impaired both the balance and the attention required to control the position of a vehicle in traffic. (2) Is the minister aware that the same study also confirmed previous findings that cannabis use impairs car control? (3) Having decriminalised and normalised the use of cannabis, when does the minister intend to introduce the measures to combat drug-driving that she promised more than four months ago? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question because I always like to have an opportunity to talk about road safety matters. I note that today is the World Health Organisation’s road safety day. WHO has decided for the first time in 60 years to target road safety in this year’s World Health Day. I understand that a car crash is the ninth most prevalent cause of preventable death in the world. It is predicted that in the next 20 years it will be the third or fourth most prevalent cause of preventable death. I am aware of research of the nature referred to by the Leader of the Opposition in his first two questions and I have no problem agreeing with the statements in those questions. That is why we are examining ways of targeting drug-driving and people who drive with a combination of drugs in their system, such as cannabis and other party-style drugs like amphetamines and so on. A particular concern has been raised about alcohol being mixed with prescription drugs. Anyone with a combination of any of these drugs in his or her system constitutes a very dangerous cocktail on the road. Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
Mr R.F. Johnson: Why don’t you be quiet over there. Mr C.J. BARNETT: It is constant. I ask the minister - (1) Is the minister aware that the drugs and driving research unit at the Swinburne University of Technology in Victoria recently found that increasing levels of tetrahydrocannabinol - the active chemical in cannabis - increasingly impaired the ability to maintain the steady position of a vehicle within the correct traffic lane and that increasing levels of THC impaired both the balance and the attention required to control the position of a vehicle in traffic. (2) Is the minister aware that the same study also confirmed previous findings that cannabis use impairs car control? (3) Having decriminalised and normalised the use of cannabis, when does the minister intend to introduce the measures to combat drug-driving that she promised more than four months ago? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question because I always like to have an opportunity to talk about road safety matters. I note that today is the World Health Organisation’s road safety day. WHO has decided for the first time in 60 years to target road safety in this year’s World Health Day. I understand that a car crash is the ninth most prevalent cause of preventable death in the world. It is predicted that in the next 20 years it will be the third or fourth most prevalent cause of preventable death. I am aware of research of the nature referred to by the Leader of the Opposition in his first two questions and I have no problem agreeing with the statements in those questions. That is why we are examining ways of targeting drug-driving and people who drive with a combination of drugs in their system, such as cannabis and other party-style drugs like amphetamines and so on. A particular concern has been raised about alcohol being mixed with prescription drugs. Anyone with a combination of any of these drugs in his or her system constitutes a very dangerous cocktail on the road. Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
Mr C.J. BARNETT: It is constant. I ask the minister - (1) Is the minister aware that the drugs and driving research unit at the Swinburne University of Technology in Victoria recently found that increasing levels of tetrahydrocannabinol - the active chemical in cannabis - increasingly impaired the ability to maintain the steady position of a vehicle within the correct traffic lane and that increasing levels of THC impaired both the balance and the attention required to control the position of a vehicle in traffic. (2) Is the minister aware that the same study also confirmed previous findings that cannabis use impairs car control? (3) Having decriminalised and normalised the use of cannabis, when does the minister intend to introduce the measures to combat drug-driving that she promised more than four months ago? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question because I always like to have an opportunity to talk about road safety matters. I note that today is the World Health Organisation’s road safety day. WHO has decided for the first time in 60 years to target road safety in this year’s World Health Day. I understand that a car crash is the ninth most prevalent cause of preventable death in the world. It is predicted that in the next 20 years it will be the third or fourth most prevalent cause of preventable death. I am aware of research of the nature referred to by the Leader of the Opposition in his first two questions and I have no problem agreeing with the statements in those questions. That is why we are examining ways of targeting drug-driving and people who drive with a combination of drugs in their system, such as cannabis and other party-style drugs like amphetamines and so on. A particular concern has been raised about alcohol being mixed with prescription drugs. Anyone with a combination of any of these drugs in his or her system constitutes a very dangerous cocktail on the road. Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
(1) Is the minister aware that the drugs and driving research unit at the Swinburne University of Technology in Victoria recently found that increasing levels of tetrahydrocannabinol - the active chemical in cannabis - increasingly impaired the ability to maintain the steady position of a vehicle within the correct traffic lane and that increasing levels of THC impaired both the balance and the attention required to control the position of a vehicle in traffic. (2) Is the minister aware that the same study also confirmed previous findings that cannabis use impairs car control? (3) Having decriminalised and normalised the use of cannabis, when does the minister intend to introduce the measures to combat drug-driving that she promised more than four months ago? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question because I always like to have an opportunity to talk about road safety matters. I note that today is the World Health Organisation’s road safety day. WHO has decided for the first time in 60 years to target road safety in this year’s World Health Day. I understand that a car crash is the ninth most prevalent cause of preventable death in the world. It is predicted that in the next 20 years it will be the third or fourth most prevalent cause of preventable death. I am aware of research of the nature referred to by the Leader of the Opposition in his first two questions and I have no problem agreeing with the statements in those questions. That is why we are examining ways of targeting drug-driving and people who drive with a combination of drugs in their system, such as cannabis and other party-style drugs like amphetamines and so on. A particular concern has been raised about alcohol being mixed with prescription drugs. Anyone with a combination of any of these drugs in his or her system constitutes a very dangerous cocktail on the road. Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
(2) Is the minister aware that the same study also confirmed previous findings that cannabis use impairs car control? (3) Having decriminalised and normalised the use of cannabis, when does the minister intend to introduce the measures to combat drug-driving that she promised more than four months ago? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question because I always like to have an opportunity to talk about road safety matters. I note that today is the World Health Organisation’s road safety day. WHO has decided for the first time in 60 years to target road safety in this year’s World Health Day. I understand that a car crash is the ninth most prevalent cause of preventable death in the world. It is predicted that in the next 20 years it will be the third or fourth most prevalent cause of preventable death. I am aware of research of the nature referred to by the Leader of the Opposition in his first two questions and I have no problem agreeing with the statements in those questions. That is why we are examining ways of targeting drug-driving and people who drive with a combination of drugs in their system, such as cannabis and other party-style drugs like amphetamines and so on. A particular concern has been raised about alcohol being mixed with prescription drugs. Anyone with a combination of any of these drugs in his or her system constitutes a very dangerous cocktail on the road. Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
(3) Having decriminalised and normalised the use of cannabis, when does the minister intend to introduce the measures to combat drug-driving that she promised more than four months ago? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question because I always like to have an opportunity to talk about road safety matters. I note that today is the World Health Organisation’s road safety day. WHO has decided for the first time in 60 years to target road safety in this year’s World Health Day. I understand that a car crash is the ninth most prevalent cause of preventable death in the world. It is predicted that in the next 20 years it will be the third or fourth most prevalent cause of preventable death. I am aware of research of the nature referred to by the Leader of the Opposition in his first two questions and I have no problem agreeing with the statements in those questions. That is why we are examining ways of targeting drug-driving and people who drive with a combination of drugs in their system, such as cannabis and other party-style drugs like amphetamines and so on. A particular concern has been raised about alcohol being mixed with prescription drugs. Anyone with a combination of any of these drugs in his or her system constitutes a very dangerous cocktail on the road. Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question because I always like to have an opportunity to talk about road safety matters. I note that today is the World Health Organisation’s road safety day. WHO has decided for the first time in 60 years to target road safety in this year’s World Health Day. I understand that a car crash is the ninth most prevalent cause of preventable death in the world. It is predicted that in the next 20 years it will be the third or fourth most prevalent cause of preventable death. I am aware of research of the nature referred to by the Leader of the Opposition in his first two questions and I have no problem agreeing with the statements in those questions. That is why we are examining ways of targeting drug-driving and people who drive with a combination of drugs in their system, such as cannabis and other party-style drugs like amphetamines and so on. A particular concern has been raised about alcohol being mixed with prescription drugs. Anyone with a combination of any of these drugs in his or her system constitutes a very dangerous cocktail on the road. Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
(1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question because I always like to have an opportunity to talk about road safety matters. I note that today is the World Health Organisation’s road safety day. WHO has decided for the first time in 60 years to target road safety in this year’s World Health Day. I understand that a car crash is the ninth most prevalent cause of preventable death in the world. It is predicted that in the next 20 years it will be the third or fourth most prevalent cause of preventable death. I am aware of research of the nature referred to by the Leader of the Opposition in his first two questions and I have no problem agreeing with the statements in those questions. That is why we are examining ways of targeting drug-driving and people who drive with a combination of drugs in their system, such as cannabis and other party-style drugs like amphetamines and so on. A particular concern has been raised about alcohol being mixed with prescription drugs. Anyone with a combination of any of these drugs in his or her system constitutes a very dangerous cocktail on the road. Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
Mr R.F. Johnson: Why don’t you be quiet over there. Mr C.J. BARNETT: It is constant. I ask the minister - (1) Is the minister aware that the drugs and driving research unit at the Swinburne University of Technology in Victoria recently found that increasing levels of tetrahydrocannabinol - the active chemical in cannabis - increasingly impaired the ability to maintain the steady position of a vehicle within the correct traffic lane and that increasing levels of THC impaired both the balance and the attention required to control the position of a vehicle in traffic. (2) Is the minister aware that the same study also confirmed previous findings that cannabis use impairs car control? (3) Having decriminalised and normalised the use of cannabis, when does the minister intend to introduce the measures to combat drug-driving that she promised more than four months ago? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question because I always like to have an opportunity to talk about road safety matters. I note that today is the World Health Organisation’s road safety day. WHO has decided for the first time in 60 years to target road safety in this year’s World Health Day. I understand that a car crash is the ninth most prevalent cause of preventable death in the world. It is predicted that in the next 20 years it will be the third or fourth most prevalent cause of preventable death. I am aware of research of the nature referred to by the Leader of the Opposition in his first two questions and I have no problem agreeing with the statements in those questions. That is why we are examining ways of targeting drug-driving and people who drive with a combination of drugs in their system, such as cannabis and other party-style drugs like amphetamines and so on. A particular concern has been raised about alcohol being mixed with prescription drugs. Anyone with a combination of any of these drugs in his or her system constitutes a very dangerous cocktail on the road. Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
Mr C.J. BARNETT: It is constant. I ask the minister - (1) Is the minister aware that the drugs and driving research unit at the Swinburne University of Technology in Victoria recently found that increasing levels of tetrahydrocannabinol - the active chemical in cannabis - increasingly impaired the ability to maintain the steady position of a vehicle within the correct traffic lane and that increasing levels of THC impaired both the balance and the attention required to control the position of a vehicle in traffic. (2) Is the minister aware that the same study also confirmed previous findings that cannabis use impairs car control? (3) Having decriminalised and normalised the use of cannabis, when does the minister intend to introduce the measures to combat drug-driving that she promised more than four months ago? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question because I always like to have an opportunity to talk about road safety matters. I note that today is the World Health Organisation’s road safety day. WHO has decided for the first time in 60 years to target road safety in this year’s World Health Day. I understand that a car crash is the ninth most prevalent cause of preventable death in the world. It is predicted that in the next 20 years it will be the third or fourth most prevalent cause of preventable death. I am aware of research of the nature referred to by the Leader of the Opposition in his first two questions and I have no problem agreeing with the statements in those questions. That is why we are examining ways of targeting drug-driving and people who drive with a combination of drugs in their system, such as cannabis and other party-style drugs like amphetamines and so on. A particular concern has been raised about alcohol being mixed with prescription drugs. Anyone with a combination of any of these drugs in his or her system constitutes a very dangerous cocktail on the road. Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
(1) Is the minister aware that the drugs and driving research unit at the Swinburne University of Technology in Victoria recently found that increasing levels of tetrahydrocannabinol - the active chemical in cannabis - increasingly impaired the ability to maintain the steady position of a vehicle within the correct traffic lane and that increasing levels of THC impaired both the balance and the attention required to control the position of a vehicle in traffic. (2) Is the minister aware that the same study also confirmed previous findings that cannabis use impairs car control? (3) Having decriminalised and normalised the use of cannabis, when does the minister intend to introduce the measures to combat drug-driving that she promised more than four months ago? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question because I always like to have an opportunity to talk about road safety matters. I note that today is the World Health Organisation’s road safety day. WHO has decided for the first time in 60 years to target road safety in this year’s World Health Day. I understand that a car crash is the ninth most prevalent cause of preventable death in the world. It is predicted that in the next 20 years it will be the third or fourth most prevalent cause of preventable death. I am aware of research of the nature referred to by the Leader of the Opposition in his first two questions and I have no problem agreeing with the statements in those questions. That is why we are examining ways of targeting drug-driving and people who drive with a combination of drugs in their system, such as cannabis and other party-style drugs like amphetamines and so on. A particular concern has been raised about alcohol being mixed with prescription drugs. Anyone with a combination of any of these drugs in his or her system constitutes a very dangerous cocktail on the road. Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
(2) Is the minister aware that the same study also confirmed previous findings that cannabis use impairs car control? (3) Having decriminalised and normalised the use of cannabis, when does the minister intend to introduce the measures to combat drug-driving that she promised more than four months ago? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question because I always like to have an opportunity to talk about road safety matters. I note that today is the World Health Organisation’s road safety day. WHO has decided for the first time in 60 years to target road safety in this year’s World Health Day. I understand that a car crash is the ninth most prevalent cause of preventable death in the world. It is predicted that in the next 20 years it will be the third or fourth most prevalent cause of preventable death. I am aware of research of the nature referred to by the Leader of the Opposition in his first two questions and I have no problem agreeing with the statements in those questions. That is why we are examining ways of targeting drug-driving and people who drive with a combination of drugs in their system, such as cannabis and other party-style drugs like amphetamines and so on. A particular concern has been raised about alcohol being mixed with prescription drugs. Anyone with a combination of any of these drugs in his or her system constitutes a very dangerous cocktail on the road. Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
(3) Having decriminalised and normalised the use of cannabis, when does the minister intend to introduce the measures to combat drug-driving that she promised more than four months ago? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question because I always like to have an opportunity to talk about road safety matters. I note that today is the World Health Organisation’s road safety day. WHO has decided for the first time in 60 years to target road safety in this year’s World Health Day. I understand that a car crash is the ninth most prevalent cause of preventable death in the world. It is predicted that in the next 20 years it will be the third or fourth most prevalent cause of preventable death. I am aware of research of the nature referred to by the Leader of the Opposition in his first two questions and I have no problem agreeing with the statements in those questions. That is why we are examining ways of targeting drug-driving and people who drive with a combination of drugs in their system, such as cannabis and other party-style drugs like amphetamines and so on. A particular concern has been raised about alcohol being mixed with prescription drugs. Anyone with a combination of any of these drugs in his or her system constitutes a very dangerous cocktail on the road. Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question because I always like to have an opportunity to talk about road safety matters. I note that today is the World Health Organisation’s road safety day. WHO has decided for the first time in 60 years to target road safety in this year’s World Health Day. I understand that a car crash is the ninth most prevalent cause of preventable death in the world. It is predicted that in the next 20 years it will be the third or fourth most prevalent cause of preventable death. I am aware of research of the nature referred to by the Leader of the Opposition in his first two questions and I have no problem agreeing with the statements in those questions. That is why we are examining ways of targeting drug-driving and people who drive with a combination of drugs in their system, such as cannabis and other party-style drugs like amphetamines and so on. A particular concern has been raised about alcohol being mixed with prescription drugs. Anyone with a combination of any of these drugs in his or her system constitutes a very dangerous cocktail on the road. Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
(1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question because I always like to have an opportunity to talk about road safety matters. I note that today is the World Health Organisation’s road safety day. WHO has decided for the first time in 60 years to target road safety in this year’s World Health Day. I understand that a car crash is the ninth most prevalent cause of preventable death in the world. It is predicted that in the next 20 years it will be the third or fourth most prevalent cause of preventable death. I am aware of research of the nature referred to by the Leader of the Opposition in his first two questions and I have no problem agreeing with the statements in those questions. That is why we are examining ways of targeting drug-driving and people who drive with a combination of drugs in their system, such as cannabis and other party-style drugs like amphetamines and so on. A particular concern has been raised about alcohol being mixed with prescription drugs. Anyone with a combination of any of these drugs in his or her system constitutes a very dangerous cocktail on the road. Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
Victoria has been trialling an instrument that can measure the THC level in people. Until now it has been quite difficult to determine that level and the degree of impairment. A drug such as cannabis can remain in a person’s system for two to three months. Although they may still have cannabis in their system, it may not necessarily impede their driving. There is no simple test for cannabis, as there is for alcohol. We are following with close interest the evaluation of the trial of the equipment in Victoria and would like to see similar equipment introduced in WA. In the meantime I understand that police officers have been trained in an alternative system for identifying people whose driving is likely to be impaired by the use of drugs. That system can best be described as a manual test. It is a little like the sobriety test of old but with the use of a lot more science. I have seen a demonstration of some of the tests that police officers will ask drivers to take in an attempt to scientifically analyse whether they need a blood test. After putting drivers through a certain checklist of tests, which police officers are currently being trained in, they will then be able to decide whether they should have a blood test.
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