By By Joseph Boden, Professor of Psychology, Director of the Christchurch Health and Development Study, University of Otago of
Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
The government's new mandate to carry out random oral-fluid roadside drug testing marks a milestone in New Zealand's road safety policy.
Under recently passed laws, police can now stop any driver, at any time, to screen with an oral swab for four illicit substances: THC (cannabis), cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA (ecstasy).
Police will begin the rollout in Wellington in December, with nationwide coverage expected by mid next year.
Drivers will face an initial roadside swab taking a few minutes; a positive result triggers a second test. If confirmed, the driver will face an immediate 12-hour driving ban and have their initial sample sent to a lab for evidential testin
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