MP's cannabis test call
5:10pm Wednesday 25th April 2007 in News By Andy McFarlane
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.
