Drug driving cases in Kerry are increasing – ‘It’s an emerging trend’

The increase was highlighted at Friday’s meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) at Kerry County Council.

A total of 50 drug driving incidents were detected in Kerry so far this year, up from 30 for the same period in 2023, and 28 for the same period in 2022.

The Garda Drug Unit say it is actively targeting drug drivers through roadside testing byway of a new devise described as a ‘game changer’ for detecting whether drugs are present in a person’s system.

As drugs like cocaine and cannabis can stay in the blood system for several weeks longer than alcohol, the new test – similar to a Covid test – takes a saliva swab with a final blood test used, if required, to ascertain levels of drugs in the system.

“For us, this devise is another way of targeting those involved in drugs by denying them the use of the road. Unlike alcohol, drugs can be in your system for longer,” said Inspector Hugh Twomey of Drugs Unit Kerry.

“Drug-related driving offenses are on the increase. We work with the roads policing unit assisting at check points. What we bring to the table is our knowledge of persons involved in drug-related activity, this includes stops and searches. This new test is a game changer,” he added.

The test is carried out at random check points, road accidents, or if someone is observed driving erratically. Fine Gael Cllr Jim Finucane welcomed news of the device but called for more education for young people.

“There seems to be a huge demand for education on this, locally,” he said.

“We need to look at how we educate people, not just in a once off way, but build into our system an awareness of what happens. I’ve spoken to a lot of young people about this,” he said.

"…We need a more proactive approach to education [on drugs] whether it’s at primary level or secondary level. That we come up with some programme to try and diminish the demand in young people’s heads is of critical importance,” Cllr Finucane said.