DRUG-DRIVING across the Wimmera is becoming an increasing problem, Ararat Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable David Cosgriff says.
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“The number of drug driving matters is increasing,” he said.
A visiting magistrate recently commented he had seen more drug driving cases in Wimmera courts in two weeks than he had in four weeks in Dandenong.
While the magistrate suggested it was an epidemic, Leading Senior Constable Cosgriff said he didn’t think it was at that stage but it was definitely an under-reported and growing problem.
He said police in the Wimmera were also better at detecting drug drivers through certain indicators including local knowledge and intelligence-based targeting of specific people known to have a drug history, than in Melbourne.
Amphetamines were the number one drug influencing drug drivers with cannabis the next most common.
This was despite drug driving penalties having been increased in the past 12 months.
The issue was growing and needed to be addressed, Leading Senior Constable Cosgriff said.