Queensland Corrective Services trials saliva tests for drugs

Queensland is the first Australian state to introduce saliva drug testing for offenders in the community on Probation and Parole orders, Acting Corrective Services Minister Robert Schwarten announced today.

“Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) will this week start the trial of saliva testing technology on offenders who are subject to drug court orders in Townsville and Cairns,” Mr Schwarten said.

“Up to 25 offenders on Intensive Drug Rehabilitation Orders will be tested each week by Probation and Parole officers trained to conduct the tests,” he said.

The 12-month trial will use the same Cozart Drug Detection system used by the Queensland Police Service for their roadside drug tests.

Whilst the technology is currently used by police in other states, and one New South Wales correctional centre, this is the first time it has been used to detect drug use by offenders on Probation and Parole orders.

“Saliva tests will compliment urinalysis tests which are currently conducted in Probation and Parole offices,” Mr Schwarten said.

“The mobility of saliva tests will expand and strengthen the random drug testing regime in the community.

“These easy-to-use kits mean offenders can be tested in their homes and outside of business hours.

“They are less intrusive than urinalysis tests and don’t require that operators be the same gender as the offender being tested.”

Mr Schwarten said saliva tests offered several important benefits.

“The kits are portable and samples can usually be provided on request,” he said.

“The process is timely and transparent and resists sample adulteration.”

Mr Schwarten said offenders who use drugs face the real possibility of being caught.

“We now have more resources to detect offenders who think they can get away with breaking the law,” he said.

“Saliva testing provides an important case management tool to support the work of the drug courts.”

Queensland Corrective Services will evaluate the trial upon its completion.

Teams of two Probation and Parole officers will conduct the tests on offenders in their homes.

Offenders will use a swab to collect a sample of saliva from their mouth and tongue.

The officers will then place the swab into a bottle of solution.

Drops from the bottle are then placed on a test slide and inserted into a machine which tests for the presence of six drugs and gives a result in about five minutes.

Positive results are then sent to the John Tonge Centre in Brisbane for confirmation.

Photos available from QCS Media and Communication Unit

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