Lethal mix of drugs and big rigs a growing worry for police

Drug use is a growing problem among truck drivers operating big rigs on New Zealand's highways, say police.

A one-day police seminar on the problem today has attracted about 100 company representatives, from Nelson to Bluff.

The Timaru event, organised by the commercial vehicle investigation unit, will focus on the growing use of illegal drugs in road transport. Police will give fleet managers some tips on identifying drug users.

"Drugs and trucks are becoming a major issue and with joint co-operation we can work together to keep [drugs] out of the road transport industry," said seminar organiser Senior Constable Stuart Ross.

At an inquest in Christchurch last week into the death of a rubbish truck runner, coroner Richard McElrea heard evidence of a "strong drug culture" among drivers and runners at the Onyx company.

Runner James Kirkpatrick, 19, had smoked cannabis in the cab of a rubbish truck with the driver before he slipped and fell under the wheels of a recycling truck in April last year.

Mr Ross said an instructor would present a paper on drugs and how transport managers can identify and deal with the problem.

"If they've got a nice sweet smell in the truck cab or if they see some white powder [they shouldn't] just think it could be flour, but to look a bit further," he said.

"In a lot of cases it's an unknown quantity - who are on drugs and who aren't."

Mr Ross said some companies were randomly testing drivers for drugs.

"There's a lot of positive things going on out there," he said. "It could be a big problem, but we don't know how big."

Mr Ross said he had heard what happened when one company seeking drivers advertised that applicants would be drug-tested. "They had no one turn up."

Mr Ross said the investigation unit was not attempting to establish how many truckies were using drugs while driving their company vehicles.

"What we're trying to say is that it is becoming a problem. Try to identify it.

"With co-operation between the two of us - enforcement and managers - perhaps both sides can make some inroads."

Senior Sergeant Geoff Scott, South Island manager of the unit based at Rangiora, North Canterbury, said absenteeism and bizarre behaviour were possible indicators of drug use among commercial drivers.

"It is a problem," he said.

"Several of my staff have apprehended truck drivers either under the influence of drugs or in possession of drugs on the line haul, where they are working to tight schedules and it's all go, go, go," he said.

While cannabis appeared to be the "prime drug we're aware of" Mr Scott conceded that some drivers were likely to be using methamphetamine, or speed, to stay awake during long trips.

"Of course they must be doing it, but it's a matter of identifying it and the person at the time."

With the large number of big rigs now plying the country's highways, drug use among drivers should be a concern for everyone, he said.

"Roaring down the road with 45 tonnes all up - just imagine if that hit your family car or a school bus."

A Road Transport Forum spokesman said the industry was well aware of the potential for drug abuse and was taking its own steps to ensure the issue did not become a problem.

The industry took a "zero tolerance" stance on the abuse of both alcohol and drugs and had issued guidelines to forum members, the spokesman said.

- NZPA