Drugs in the transport industry NOT ON

The Transport Workers' Union is today calling on the Queensland Transport Department and Queensland Police to crack down on the drug profiteers in the transport industry.

According to Police reports since December 2007 the Queensland Roadside Drug Testing Unit have caught 52 heavy vehicle drivers under the influence of illicit drugs.

TWU Branch Secretary Hughie Williams said, "This is unacceptable. We cannot afford to have truck drivers on our roads under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It's a cocktail for disaster."

Mr Williams said, in most cases truck drivers are being forced by their boss to take stimulants to drive long illegal hours on our roads.

"I've heard numerous reports from members that they're required to drive from Brisbane to Melbourne in 22 hours and Brisbane to Sydney in 12 hours."

"How can anyone stay awake and drive this distance?"

The TWU call on the Queensland Transport Department and Queensland Police to work together and not just book truck drivers under the influence of illicit drugs but to investigate why they took the illicit drug and where they purchased the drug from.

Mr Williams said, "The only way we are going to get rid of drugs in the trucking industry and keep our roads safe is if we eliminate the rogue bosses and drug suppliers in the industry".