NSW: Police drug use to be probed
By Janine O'Neill, Police Reporter
SYDNEY, Aug 27 AAP - Drug abusing police will be targeted in a fresh inquiry launchedafter years of repeated warnings and evidence of substance abuse emerging through NSWcorruption investigations.
The Police Integrity Commission (PIC) today revealed it was investigating the use ofillegal drugs and abuse of prescription medicine by some of the state's 15,000 police.
Although the PIC would not reveal the inquiry's trigger, these latest concerns areanything but new, dating back about five years and with a suspected focus on Sydney'seastern suburbs.
Police Minister John Watkins today conceded he did not know how big a problem drugabuse was in the NSW Police Force.
"I hope it's small ... I hope it's not a widespread problem, but at the end of theday I don't know, this investigation is ongoing," Mr Watkins said.
"But police who use drugs will be found, disgraced and dismissed."
Mr Watkins urged police with problems to take advantage of an amnesty, allowing userswithin the force to get help, before it was too late.
He gave no indication as to whether this two-year-old amnesty would ever draw to anofficial end, saying it would be over for the individual when a PIC officer came knocking.
"Police who ask for help now will get it, but time is running out, and continued silencewill cost you your job.
"If the PIC commissioner comes knocking on your door tomorrow the amnesty is gone."
Thirteen officers with substance abuse problems had come forward voluntarily in thepast two years.
Mr Watkins said he expected the PIC to give guidance on the number of random and targeteddrug tests which should be carried out annually.
Random alcohol testing was introduced in 1997, while mandatory drug testing of officersafter critical incidents, such as shootings and pursuit fatalities, came into effect inJuly 1998.
Targeted drug testing began in November 1998, followed by random drug testing in September 2001.
Since testing began, Mr Watkins said seven police officers had tested positive to illegaldrugs after critical incidents and 24 officers returned positive results during testingof suspect police.
There had been no positive random drug tests.
PIC Commissioner Terry Griffin said Operation Abelia commenced following evidence ofillegal drug use by officers arising from a number of commission investigations.
Mr Griffin said while the main focus of the investigation was on the use by policeof illegal drugs, the commission also was interested in the misuse of steroids and prescriptiondrugs.
Police Commissioner Ken Moroney said there was no place in the force for officers whouse illicit substances or who abuse prescribed substances.
"Let me clearly say, one police officer using illicit substances or abusing prescribedsubstances is one too many," Mr Moroney said.
"To me it represents an appalling double standard, and I'm simply not going to tolerate that."
NSW Police Association president Ian Ball supported the inquiry but said he wantedto ensure that legitimate prescription medicine users were protected.
AAP jo/nf/ldj/de
KEYWORD: PIC DRUGS NIGHTLEAD
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