24/04/2007 16:00:00
UK: MP's cannabis test call
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DRIVERS suspected of being high on cannabis should be asked to stand on
one-leg rather than face roadside drug tests, according to a Bolton MP.
Dr Brian Iddon told the Commons old-fashioned techniques were more
reliable than modern "drugalysers" proposed by Tory MP Christopher Chope.
Bolton South-east MP Dr Iddon said cannabis remained in the bloodstream
for 30 days, so it would be impossible to prove when the drug had been
taken.
"It would be very unfair to detect cannabis in a person after they have
driven a car, 20 days after smoking one spliff," he told fellow MPs.
"Would you criminalise a person for that?"
Speaking after the debate, he said: "Believe you me, standing on one leg
or walking in a straight line can still detect somebody's ability to drive."
Dr Iddon said although the techniques were not sophisticated enough, the
Home Office was developing new high-tech cognitive tests using computer
games.
He said the issue should not be confined to cannabis and raised concerns
about people driving while taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
"I've researched the driving of older people in particular and older
drivers can take a cocktail of drugs and their driving is badly affected
without them realising it."
Christchurch MP Mr Chope had brought the Drugs (Reclassification and
Roadside Testing) Bill, demanding cannabis be upgraded to class B,
although it has little chance of becoming law because of a lack of
parliamentary time.
Dr Iddon said research showed alcohol was much more damaging to health
and society.
But he said distinctions needed to be made between low-strength imported
cannabis and British hydroponically-grown skunk', which is potentially
damaging to mental health.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/display.var.1355148.0.mps_cannabis_test_call.php
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=12484
Author:
The Bolton News via UKCIA
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