NSW: Random drug tests for police too costly: Whelan

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-2001
NSW: Random drug tests for police too costly: Whelan

New South Wales Police Minister PAUL WHELAN says the police service isn't randomly
drug testing officers because it's too expensive.

The Wood Royal Commission into police corruption recommended the random drug testing
of officers as part of overall police reform.

The NSW parliament has passed legislation enabling random drug testing of police officers
to be carried out.

Mr WHELAN says officers who are involved in critical incidents are tested as required by law.

Over the past three years, he says 460 police involved in critical incidents have been
drug and alcohol tested and six have returned positive tests to cannabis.

Opposition police spokesman ANDREW TINK says he's astounded the police minister can
question the cost effectiveness of random drug testing.

Mr TINK says it's the minister's responsibility to ensure he has a budget to implement
the recommendations.

AAP RTV sal/rp/jlw/jn

KEYWORD: POLICE (SYDNEY)

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