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HOW LONG WILL ILLICIT DRUGS REMAIN DETECTABLE IN MY SYSTEM?

DRIVING WITH ILLICIT DRUGS PRESENT IN SYSTEM 

People who consume illicit drugs are often concerned about the length of time the illicit drugs remain detectable in their system, predominately out of regard for Mobile Drug Tests (MDTs) conducted by Police against motorists, targeting drivers driving with illicit drugs present in their system as well as tests conducted by employers. These concerns are warranted, with NSW Police often out in force conducting random testing to detect people committing the offence of driving with the presence of illicit drugs in their system.

It is important to note that in the interests of life and safety, and of course to ensure you do not break the law, you should not take illicit drugs and if you have any presence in your system or are affected by such drugs you should not drive a vehicle, operate machinery or conduct any other potentially dangerous activity.

INDIVIDUAL VARIATION

Consideration of how long different drugs can be detected by certain testing methods must be viewed with regard to the fact that several factors can mean that individuals may still have drugs detected outside the average window periods, including but not limited to an individual’s unique weight, age, sex, health and the amount of the drug consumed.

If you have been accused or charged with driving with illicit drugs present, contact our expert criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation.

MOBILE DRUG TESTING

NSW Police conduct mobile drug testing via a saliva test. These tests detect the presence of the 4 common illegal drugs of ecstasy, cannabis, cocaine, and methamphetamine (including speed and ice).

The process initially commences with NSW Police conducting a breath test, commonly referred to as an RBT, and checking your Driver Licence. Following this, police will ask you to wipe an MDT test stick down your tongue in order to determine whether you have any illegal drugs in your system.

The results take a few minutes and if you test negative you will be free to continue driving. If you test positive for an illegal substance, the police will require you to take a second oral fluid test and to provide a saliva sample. If your second oral fluid test is positive you may receive a 24-hour driving prohibition.

The saliva sample will be sent for laboratory analysis. You are only charged with driving with the presence of illicit drugs in your system if the presence of an illegal drug is confirmed by the laboratory.

Illicit drugs can generally be detected using roadside saliva tests for approximately 12-30 hours after the consumption of cannabis and approximately 48 hours after consumption for methamphetamine, cocaine or MDMA.

BLOOD TESTS

A police officer may require you to provide a sample of your blood and urine in certain circumstances for the purpose of analysis for the presence of alcohol or drugs in your system.

Illegal drugs and their metabolites can be detected via blood testing for approximately 20-36 hours after consuming of cannabis, up to 48 hours after consuming cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA or heroin and approximately 1 to 2 days after consuming LSD.

Illegal drugs and their metabolites can be detected via urine testing for approximately 3 to 28 days after consuming cannabis, approximately, 1 to 3 days after consuming cocaine, approximately 2 to 5 days after consuming methamphetamine or MDMA, approximately 1 to 2 days after consuming heroin and 2 to 4 days after consuming LSD.

PENALTIES FOR DRIVING WITH THE PRESENCE OF ILLICIT DRUGS IN SYSTEM

The penalties available to the court for people convicted of the offence of driving with illicit drugs present in their system include imprisonment, heavy fines, licence suspension and licence disqualification.

The impacts of a conviction of driving with illicit drugs present may also extend to your professional life, with certain careers being inhibited or blocked by such convictions.

It is important you seek appropriate legal advice immediately if you have failed a Mobile Drug Test.

OUR PROVEN RESULTS

Our Principal and award-winning lawyer Mr Steven Mercael secured another outstanding result recently, avoiding conviction for a client who had been charged with driving with illicit drugs present in system.

This result was consistent with the 95% success rate across our team of highly specialised criminal lawyers.

CONTACT US NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with driving with illicit drugs present, contact our expert criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group now for a free consultation, so that we may secure the best outcome for you or your family or friend.

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