Tuesday 28th of May, 2024
Victorian Legislative Council, Melbourne
RACHEL PAYNE — To ask the Minister for Corrections (for the Minister for Police):
In relation to Victoria Police’s roadside drug testing (RDT):
(1) For each of the five most recent calendar years —
(a) how many roadside drug tests have been conducted in Victoria;
(b) how many roadside drug tests have been conducted in Victoria in each Police Service Area;
(c) for each legal and illegal drug type detected, how many of the roadside drug tests resulted in a positive result;
(d) how many roadside drug tests resulted in false positives;
(e) how many false positives were specifically for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC);
(f) how many false positives were for any other legal drug or illegal drug; and
(g) how many individuals in Victoria have lost their licence because of a positive THC result in a roadside drug test.
(2) What are the sensitivity and specificity rates of the devices used for THC detection in roadside drug tests.
(3) How does the Victoria RDT regime currently address the presence of residual THC in individuals who are legally using medical cannabis.
Written Response, provided 23rd July 2024
Hon Anthony Carbines MP
Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Racing:
The number of roadside drug tests undertaken by Victoria Police annually is reported in Victoria Police’s Annual Report which is available on the Victoria Police website. For operational reasons, Victoria Police does not report other information in relation to their roadside drug testing program.
All positive THC roadside drug tests are sent to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine to confirm the result. If the lab confirmation result determines the oral fluid sample obtained from the driver to be above the evidentiary limit, then the matter is prepared to be prosecuted as the driver has alleged to have driven whilst impaired.
Questions that relate to loss of licence does not fall within my portfolio responsibilities. The Member may wish to direct the question to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety.
