Police will start trialling a new device that will be used to detect hard drugs on drivers in real time. Photo: NZH FilePolice and scientists have developed a handheld device for frontline officers to test for methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine. The real-time drug-screening tool allows officers to test for "the three most harmful and commonly used drugs on the New Zealand market" while "working in our communities", police said in a statement. A six-month trial of the devices will be carried out across the Canterbury, Auckland and Central police districts. The new rules – to go through Parliament this year – mean the police will be able to conduct oral-fluid drug testing on drivers.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 28, 2020 23:03 UTC