MDT has hit Australian streets

[Chip (OP)]

Mobile Drug Testing at random is being deployed in Oz.

I have no idea of the efficacy.

can one predict how long drugs like meth. can stay showing positive ?

I am very, VERY concerned.

[whiteheat]

WTF sounds god awful.. More info chipper why is this happening?  Persecution to those who test positive?  Do they need a reason?  Sorry for questions I'm in the states which they say is about to go down in a bad way 2016.

[theSWPK]

This seems so Orwellian to me. Such an ovation of privacy. What happens to you if your are found positive? Do you have the right to refuse testing, perhaps with the help of an attorney? Also, does there have to be probable cause to constitute testing, such as nodding out or acting intoxicated/high?

[Chip (OP)]

courts, fines, points lost from license and can't drive for 24 hours.

get caught 3 times and they can lock you up, I believe.

at random or on suspicion. refuse and you get charged anyway.

they say that 1 in 10 is caught for drug driving vs. 1 in 300 for alcohol.

the reason ? because they can, I guess.

scary.

[theSWPK]

Man, that's nuts. It surprises me that people let this happen. Seems like such an outrageous invasion of privacy, that enough people would petition the government and have it stopped.

What's next, checking for circumcision after they request your papers?

[Reezy]

so this is only for like drving? kinda like a DUI check point thing we have here where they stop traffic and check a majority of the drivers for being drunk or on drygs?

this isn't like me walking down thee street minding my own business type shit? if so thats fucked. DUI checkpoints are fucked also, to much privacy violation. i may be an alcoholic that is completely "Sober" because I'm physically dependent, but would get a DUI after coming home from a long day at work. shit an alcoholic is probably a worse driver when withdrawing because of the shakes and tremors,

[Chip (OP)]

only for driving.

I can see this not ending well for me ... I don't use much but then again, the drug takes a while to clear.

I need to know how sensitive the tests is so at this stage, I'm very concerned ... losing my license is a major concern.

[Griffin]

Do you know if you can be penalized for failing for prescription drugs? I hope they don't use this as a tool to rob and incarcerate people in medication assisted treatment or cpps. I am praying that they don't start doing that here it is already bad enough.

[Chip (OP)]

only pot, meth and MDMA at present, with more to come later

[Sand and Water]

only pot, meth and MDMA at present, with more to come later

POT???  Wow...unless its got other stuff in it like synthetics I don't even see a HR rationale. The whole thing makes zero sense imo. Just wow.  Sounds like y'all are going to be looking at what happens here everyday   what happened to all the pols great talk about treatment vs punishment (here at least)? 

[Chip (OP)]

re. POT: https://www.codot.gov/safety/alcohol-and-impaired-driving/druggeddriving/marijuana-and-driving

interestingly, they do it right with impairment testing.

Colorado is setting a more sophisticated and reasonable precedent.

[Guts]

How is the test administered? If you used 10 days ago but are sober at the moment, you're still fucked?

[Chip (OP)]

mouth swab. yeah, i hear the testing gear is very sensitive, state-of-the-art type ... that's the story, anyway.

I have to fight this somehow.

[Z]

It looks like the swab detects use in the last 24 hours for meth.  I guess adjust for dosage and personal differences.

How could you fight this chipper?  I don't think it's right, but impaired driving is a serious issue.  If you refuse the test you are screwed as well.

Here there are mobile apps for speed traps and dui roadblocks.  Maybe there is a way to help people share the locations?

Did you ever get anywhere with the ritalin substitution you were looking into a long while back?

[Chip (OP)]

i could fight this because i know when i am impaired (fatigue, high dose, low tolerance, other drugs etc.) BUT if i am not then i will point to Colorado's IMPAIRMENT policy.

mobile apps and dui's - EXCELLENT thought ... let me ponder that but it still doesn't stop the "tail light is out, swab please, sir !" interaction.

i tried to find a doc. to prescribe Dex. (not Ritalin) and ended up at the Stimulant Abuse Treatment place but they threw me out because i was on Methadone - grrr! GRRR ! don't get me started on that.

if i end up in court then i will plan a solid case and at least have my say ... i also worry about double jeopardy as they ban you for 24 hours and what if that's not enough and i get caught again ?

look, if i am in some way compromised and i get caught then yeah, i'll cop it BUT if am not, i will contest it. it's my duty.