Media Statement
For immediate release
Friday, 10 June 2005

Dunne: Drug-driving deaths study backs UF testing policy

Research results showing that nearly half the drink-drivers who die on New Zealand roads have other drugs in their systems makes United Future’s drugs policy on testing drivers, which was launched yesterday, all the more relevant, United Future leader Peter Dunne says.

“This joint Police and Environmental Science and Research study utterly backs our policy and the thinking behind it, and frankly, in itself, it should put paid to the arguments of trendy liberal nay-sayers.

“We already test drivers for alcohol and no-one bats an eyelid. Testing for drugs, which equally impair a driver, should be seen on the same basis,” Mr Dunne said.

United Future yesterday launched the policy which includes keeping cannabis illegal, denying home detention to drug dealers, requiring all first time drug offenders to undergo education or treatment programmes, and specialist drugs courts.

Principal Youth Court judge Andrew Becroft today gave the drug court policy backing, pointing to the success of a trial Youth Drug Court in Christchurch and saying that it could be easily transferred into the adult justice system.

“I welcome that level of support from someone at the coalface in terms of young people, offending and drugs,” Mr Dunne said.

Ends.