OTTAWA - Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould is giving the green light to a new roadside test to check for drugs.
She has approved the “Drager DrugTest 5000” as the first saliva screening equipment to be used by police to test for the main psychoactive agent in cannabis.
The equipment will be made available to police forces across the country, although it will be up to police to decide what testing equipment they want to use.
Manufacturers have said they could meet demand for roadside saliva testing equipment within four to six weeks.
Legislation that passed Parliament in June allows for the use of roadside saliva tests to detect the presence of drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.
The Liberals have pledged 161-million dollars in funding for police training and drug-testing equipment over the next five years, as well as a public awareness campaign about the perils of driving while high.
