Melbourne, Australia: Law enforcement officers in Victoria, Australia are prepared to begin administering random roadside saliva testing later this month to detect for the presence of marijuana and other illicit substances as part of a 12-month pilot project. The plan marks the first widespread use of saliva testing technology by police anywhere in the world.
Motorists administered the test will have a small absorbent pad placed on their tongue. Initial results from the test will be available in approximately five minutes, although all positive tests would need to be confirmed by a laboratory test, according to Australian news reports.
Saliva testing, unlike urinalysis, detects the presence of parent drugs, not drug metabolites (inert compounds produced from chemical changes of a drug in the body). In general, parent drugs are detectable in the saliva for less than 24 hours. However, the test does not indicate impairment.
Presently, the use of saliva testing to identify the presence of drugs is rarely used in the United States, which relies primarily on urinalysis to determine whether an individual has previously used an illicit substance. However, a positive urine test – even when confirmed – does not indicate recency of drug use or impairment of performance.
For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500.