MediNat Australia

What Are the Penalties for ‘Drugged Driving’ in Australia? Joe Wilson - Leafly Mobile drug testing, or MDT, is on the rise in Australia. Police in all states and territories can now require drivers to provide a saliva sample to be tested for cannabis and amphetamines. In the country’s most populous state, New South Wales, authorities boast that by 2017 there will be three times the number of tests on the state’s roads. At the same time, a number of “drugged driving” campaigns have drawn criticism and stoked confusion. To help clarify, this article sets out penalties that accompany a positive roadside drug test in various Australian states. Note that all penalties are for first-time offenses. State of Queensland (QLD) Police in Queensland are able to test drivers for cannabis in conjunction with so-called random breath testing (RBT) or as a standalone test. The presence of any cannabis whatsoever in a sample is an offense, carrying a maximum penalty of

Drug tests made mandatory for parents of at-risk kids, Opposition says policy ignores real issues By Matt Watson   Parents of at-risk children will face mandatory random drug testing under a new policy introduced by the Queensland Government, but the Opposition has said the policy misses the mark. Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman said the drug crystal meth, or ice, was putting too many children at risk. She said parents who entered into an intervention with parental agreement (IPA) would be forced to undergo mandatory drug testing. Under the IPAs, parents developed a safety plan with child safety officers, Ms Fentiman said. "This is a zero-tolerance measure that puts the safety of children first and foremost," she said. "If the information suggests there is ice use and the children are unsafe, we will remove the children. "It will be up to the discretion of the child safety officer and it will depend on whether or not there's a his

Leading the pack on recreational drugs Amy Corderoy, Health Editor, Sydney Morning Herald from The Age, June 22, 2013  A new policy will deal with drugs as a health issue, not a criminal one, writes Amy Corderoy. At first glance, it resembles your typical focus group. A free feed, $20, and a gift card - all to have your every thought poked and prodded for a few hours. "It was just that out-of-hours corporate focus group experience," says Brendan*. "But this time we got stoned". They want the highs to actually be legal, and low risk.  The 30-year-old Auckland man is part of a small group of New Zealanders preparing for the introduction in August of radical new drug laws. His country will soon become the first to regulate new recreational drugs based solely on their harms. Brendan's focus group is one of the first steps in this process. "The possibility of being involved in legitimate drug sales, five or 10 years ago I would hav