No place for illegal drugs in the trucking industry

There is no place for illegal drugs in the trucking industry, said New South Wales trucking body ATANSW following a report shown on Channel 9’s A Current Affair program this week. The report showed footage of a truck driver allegedly taking the drug ice. It also showed an interview with an ex-truck driver who reportedly lost his licence for taking drugs and driving, and who admitted taking drugs with the person in the footage.

“These individuals and this behaviour reflect poorly on the honest, hard-working and professional men and women in this industry,” ATANSW Manager Jodie Broadbent said.

Broadbent also acknowledged the concern expressed by Victoria Police about drug use by road users in general.

“Trucking operators have introduced drug and alcohol policies that cover random testing of their workforce, but more needs to be done,” she said.

“The chain of responsibility legislation in road law must be used by road authorities to prosecute those in the supply chain who don’t manage their businesses properly, or who push drivers to achieve impossible targets.

“This television report is not representative of the hardworking men and women who work in our industry. This person clearly has a drug addiction problem and while he needs help, we don’t want him on our roads, either in a car or a truck.

“Our members are sick of being lumped in with these individuals. These people go to work just like anyone else, they have the right to feel proud of the work they do.”