Police to screen drivers for drugs in pilot scheme

Police Scotland. 

Isles police will be piloting a new scheme to catch people driving under the influence of drugs.

Police Scotland will then roll-out the screening appliances across the country, if the six-month trial is successful.

A dozen officers have completed the training, with one officer claiming it would be a helpful tool in the crackdown on illicit drugs.

Sergeant Alex Barry told The Shetland Times it provided a “real opportunity” for officers to take the lead in preventing substance-related crime.

“It hits the nail on the head with what we are looking out for,” Sgt Barry said. “From my non-roads policing point of view, it gives me a lot more breadth to capture stuff like that.”

This training allows officers who have recently received drug wipe training to detect those driving under the influence of controlled substances at the roadside and is a big step forward in terms of road safety in Shetland.