Pubdate: Sun, 15 Jul 2001 Source: Sunday Herald, The (UK) Copyright: 2001 Sunday Herald Contact: http://www.sundayherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/873 Author: Neil Mackay ONE IN FOUR FAIL DRUG-DRIVE TEST A QUARTER of Scottish motorists tested during a police campaign were found to be driving under the influence of drugs. The discovery was made when all eight Scottish police forces recently targeted drug-drivers over a 48-hour period as part of the nationwide Know the Score campaign. Police revealed that 25% of drivers failed new tests to check on the scale of the problem. The tests, which were part of a pilot project, were carried out by officers trained in 'field impairment techniques', which look for tell-tale signs that a driver is high on illegal drugs or under the influence of prescription medication. Colin McKerracher, Assistant Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police, said everyone had to 'realise their responsibilities and the dangers involved', adding: 'Driving a vehicle under the influence of any drug which causes impairment, including prescribed medication, has to be addressed. 'The government has set targets for substantial road casualty reductions by 2010, and tackling drug-driving will form part of the police action to meet those targets, alongside educating the public and enforcing drug-driving legislation. 'I would encourage members of the public not to drive whilst under the influence of any drug and I appeal to anybody with knowledge of any motorist doing this, to report it to the police.' The Know The Score campaign has been organised jointly with the Scottish Executive, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and drugs campaigners. The initiative also has the backing of the Scottish Prison Service, the Crown Office and customs and excise. Tests on drug-drivers take around 10 minutes and include: - - Examination of the pupils -- where abnormally sized pupils would suggest the driver has taken drugs - - The Romberg test -- where the subject is required to tilt their head back, close their eyes and estimate when a 30 second period has elapsed - - Walk and turn test -- where the subject walks nine steps heel-to-toe along an imaginary line - - Standing test -- where the subject's ability to stand on one leg for 30 seconds is assessed - - And the finger-to-nose test -- where the subject has to touch their nose with their index finger. Fife's Assistant Chief Constable David Mellor said police chiefs had considered using sweat, saliva or urine tests but ruled them out as unsuitable as they could only work if a set legal limit was given for each drug. He said the current 'psycho-motor' tests were 'effective and accurate'. Research by the Scottish Executive last year showed that 85% of clubbers admitted driving after using drugs. Strathclyde Police say that 18% of all specimens sent to police labs for drink-driving offences contain traces of illegal drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens