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A person who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol is unable to assess one’s capability to drive which is why it would be safer for such person to stay at home until the effects of the drugs or alcohol completely wear off.
The Victoria government penalizes driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Towards this end, police have the authority to roadside drug and alcohol tests on drivers.
The drug test will enable police to know if the person has taken illegal drugs including drugs that are prohibited in the workplace, sports and driving. A negative result in a drug test means that there are no longer drugs in the body or the test cannot detect traces of the drugs in a person’s body. Drug tests consist of taking samples from a person’s urine, breath, saliva, blood or sweat.
The following are the drug tests conducted by police officers in Victoria to determine if drivers are under the influence of drugs while driving:
Standard Impairment Assessment Test which consists of four parts namely:
This kind of test is used as a means of detecting strange behaviour manifesting drug use. Other tests are required to determine illegal drug content in the driver’s system.
Saliva test is a common and easy form of drug test used by police to determine if a driver is driving under the influence of illegal drugs. Specially trained police officers will take a sample of the driver’s saliva with the use of an absorbent collector that is placed in the mouth or on the tongue. The test takes only about three to five minutes. This particular test can detect cannabis, ecstasy and methamphetamine.
In the event that the driver tests positive for drug use, confirmatory tests are required before charges are filed.
The effects of drugs vary in each person. Generally, most drugs, or the effects of drugs, remain in a person’s body for 24 to 48 hours. The effects largely depend on several factors such as:
Cannabis use can be detected several hours immediately after use while MDMA, more popularly known as ecstasy, can be detected for approximately 24 hours after use. Just like ecstasy, methamphetamine which is also known as “speed” and “ice” can also be detected 24 hours after use.
Disclaimer : This article is just a summary of the subject matter being discussed and should not be regarded as a comprehensive legal advice for you to defend yourself alone. If you are charged with criminal offences, it is recommended that you seek legal assistance from criminal lawyers.