Drivers will next month face stringent US-style roadside tests for drugs, the Irish Independent has learned.
Gardai will be able to check drivers' eyes for dilated pupils and carry out other physical co-ordination tests.
The tests, commonplace in America, will also include ordering a driver to stand on one leg and walk in a straight line.
Source: The Irish Independent, 30/12/2010
An accurate test for cannabis is impossible, due to the cumulative nature of its pharmacokinetic profile. Unless the government are planning of instigating test that are accurate enough to determine the quantity of metabolites/ml. Practically any test will only show if cannabis has been used, not if a driver is stoned. There is a lifetime prevalence rate of >20% for cannabis, this means that a possible 1 in 5 are positive for using cannabis, whether or not stoned. This leaves it up to the Guarda’s subjectivity in ascertaining if someone is “stoned”. This will lead to discrimination(abuse of powers), and incarceration. The government should start looking more towards Portugal and less towards America for drug policy, considering their success. Any positive for cannabis use in disputable in court. Also studies conflict regarding the dangers of light intoxification, as most studies involve high dosages.
Several inaccuracies in the previous comment.
1. presumably there is a limit of 50ng/ml THC for the saliva test(usual)
2. although one in five may use cannabis at one time,unless they are regular users(1/5 th of users, such as in the case of those with a medical neccessity)they are unlikely to have this concentration, unless they have recently consumed cannabis.
In short, tolerance, the cumulative nature and variance of cannabinoid metabolism should always be considered, when assessing the meaning of any positive result. My main worry is that this policy may be used to marginalise fringe groups.
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