The data concerning the complaints about driving under the influence of drugs cause strong concern to the authorities.
Although from 2018 the legislation that allows the conduct of narcotics tests on drivers is implemented in Cyprus, nevertheless the cases of driving under the influence of substances are increasing day by day. Specifically, from the first day of the year until February 11, 42 people have been identified during the checks to be behind the wheel under the influence of drugs.
In 2019, during the traffic inspections, the Police identified 545 cases of positive incidents. From 1/1/2020 until 31/12/2020, 1012 inspections (with a negative or positive result) have been carried out by the Police all over Cyprus. At the same time, a total of 744 complaints were made (718 positive samples were sent to the State Chemist and 26 drivers refused to be examined).
42 from the beginning of 2021
2021 entered with the same alarming rates, since from the beginning of the year until today, more than 40 cases have arisen. More specifically, last week the Traffic Police identified eleven people behind the wheel and during a check-up they tested positive for drugs, which shows the magnitude of the problem. The 11 drivers were located during traffic checks between February 3 and February 11. Between January 25 and February 3, 2021, eleven other drivers, aged between 20 and 53, tested positive for drugs under the influence of drugs.
From January 13, 2021 until January 24, eight drivers were located under the influence of drugs, following checks carried out by the Police.
During the week from 6 to 13 January, 5 drivers (three cars and two motorcycles) were identified in pan-Cypriot traffic tests, who underwent a drug test with a positive result. It is worth noting that from January 1 to 6, another seven drivers were found driving under the influence of drugs.
The Headquarters Traffic Department and the General State Chemist were obliged, within 2020, to increase their controls, with the Police proceeding to the creation of a specially trained subgroup with many years of experience in drugs, within the Traffic Department and the State Chemist to proceed in the market of new equipment.
The authorities are particularly concerned about the fact that many times the examinations carried out by the State General Chemist show that many drivers are not satisfied with the use of only one substance but are detected in the body of most drivers who are found to be positive for drugs, two to three drugs. substances.
Targeted controls
According to the director of the Traffic Headquarters, Giannakis Georgiou, now the drug tests are targeted. As he explained, all members serving in the Traffic Police are properly trained to be able to detect and understand if a person is under the influence of drugs so that they can perform tests effectively. “We want to have 18 positives out of the 20 tests,” he said. In addition, he noted that a subgroup has now been set up at the Traffic Police Headquarters, consisting of members of the force with many years of experience in drug cases, explaining that these individuals are trained and have previously served in police ranks to fight drugs. The goal, he said, is to strengthen the team even more so as to increase both checks and complaints. Now, he added, all members of the Traffic Police have been properly trained to carry out inspections aimed at saving time and costs. Indicatively to mention that the preliminary drug test costs 14 euros and the final test another 10 euros.
At the same time, Mr. Georgiou stated that the numbers are very worrying and this is the reason why the Police intensifies the checks by sending the message again that substances such as drugs and alcohol have been proven to help reduce the mental and psychological effort made during driving and reducing the performance and skills of the driver, thus increasing the risk of causing a collision.
Synthetic drugs are difficult to detect
The General Chemistry of the state proceeded with the purchase of modern equipment and the recruitment of additional staff in order to increase the volume of examinations that are carried out, while at the same time the detection of synthetic drugs is problematic.
From 2010 to 2019, 1,038 narcotics tests were sent to the State General Chemistry after accidents. The results showed that 15.5% of the drivers involved were under the influence of drugs. However, the seriousness of the problem, according to the director of the General Chemistry of the state, Dr. Stelios Giannopoulos, can be seen through the results of 2020. As he explained, in 2020 66 samples were sent for tests to the General Chemist and 25 of them were positive for drugs. . In 2020, he said, the General Chemist received new equipment and recruited additional staff to more than double the number of exams.
As of 2018, test results show that 50% of drivers are under the influence of cannabis, while 20% find a combination of two drugs, cannabis and cocaine. About 7% is detected with cannabis and amphetamines and about 6% is detected with a combination of three substances and about 1% is detected with heroin. The director of the General Chemistry also noted that in a percentage of 0.5% is detected the use of new synthetic drugs, the detection of which is particularly difficult since they consist of new chemical formulas which are not detected by the classical method.
Nearly 9,000 police checks: Crown-out-of-court to 67 citizens
