* Traces of illegal drugs found in Adelaide court
* Drugs found include cocaine, opiates and cannabis
* Calls for sniffer dogs inside courts



A bag containing crystal methamphetamine.


TRACES of illicit drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamines and opiates, have been found in the toilets of Adelaide's busiest court.


A Sunday Mail investigation has uncovered the presence of various illegal drugs on surfaces in the bathrooms on levels three and four of the Adelaide Magistrate Court, prompting a call for stricter security.


All four types of drugs tested for - cocaine, opiates, methamphetamines and cannabis - were detected during one surface test in the fourth-floor toilets, just metres from security cameras and court rooms. The tests, conducted with Securetec DrugWipe detecting devices, which are used by Customs officers and police, were done in the male and female toilets on the third and fourth floors, on two separate occasions, more than a week apart.


Every test returned positive readings for methamphetamines and opiates, which could include heroin, morphine or methadone.


Cocaine and cannabis were also detected on both floors in one of the two testings. A spokeswoman for Pathtec Drug Detection Systems, which distributes the DrugWipe test equipment, said the devices only detected drugs which had come into direct contact with the tested surface.


Attorney-General John Rau said the test results were concerning and has asked the Courts Administration Authority whether new security measures were needed.


"Sadly, it is not surprising that a significant number of defendants appearing before the Magistrates Court have problems with illegal drug use," he said.


"Drug-related charges are heard by the court every day and illicit drug use continues to be one of the most widespread sources of criminal behaviour.


"None of those factors make it acceptable for people to use illegal drugs in a public building, if that is what can be deduced from the testing."


The courts sheriff's officers have the power to search for weapons but are not able to test for drugs.


People entering the court are searched using metal-detecting devices and pat searches, with police called if drugs or drug paraphernalia are found.


National Council on Drugs executive director Gino Vumbaca said a high number of people attending court had a drug dependence and "highly stressful situations like going to court is likely to exacerbate their drug use".


Mr Vumbaca said sniffer dogs would help to deter users from bringing drugs inside the court, but would be a costly resource and random drug tests could further aggravate users already under stress at being in court.


"People with an addiction are already under the stress of being summonsed to court or supporting another person in court, and if all of a sudden they want to collect body fluid from you to test, it could create even more problems for court staff," he said.


Public Service Association chief industrial officer Peter Christopher said he was not surprised by the results but was concerned the drug use posed "a potentially dangerous situation" for court staff.


"The PSA would encourage the Government to do whatever it can to make the courts more secure and prevent the entry of illegal products into the court."


source: Sunday Mail (SA)


I've heard of sneaking a smoke in the school toilets at lunchtime, but this takes it to a whole new level. Absolutely disgraceful. What are your thoughts and opinions? Should there be tighter security checks, x-ray checks on all bags and/or drug sniffing dogs for every person who enters and exits court?

How about the decriminalization of all drugs. Prohibition has been tried in every corner of the world for the past 50 years and simply does not work. You can't legislate morality. The current laws simply enrich organized crime and cost states billions in court and prison costs.

That's because more and more drug laws are being passed making all drug use criminal. In the USA many states consider drug possession offense a felony, putting users right up there with bank robbers and rapists..

To be honest this isnt all that shocking many courts in many countrys will this problem

All part of obamas new world order

That's because more and more drug laws are being passed making all drug use criminal. In the USA many states consider drug possession offense a felony, putting users right up there with bank robbers and rapists..

Only if it's a large amount, then it's not a possession charge it's an intent to distribute charge. Which gets you the felony.

my goodness, Pringlescan....it differs state by state..in Utah you can cop a felony with a roach of mary jane...coke. meth, and opiates are felonies in many states prolly b/c those addictions lead to the most crime in pursuit of the addiction.

Not exactly a surprise that drug traces are found in court buildings,it would be absolutely amazing if they were not found,Latest studies show that approx 90% of U.S and U.K bank notes have traces of cocaine on them.

i have been sentenced in that very court house and ive got pretty high with a couple of the local silks on occasion. if we must have sniffer dogs and random drug testing for drivers etc .... first police, judges and the rest must be sniffed and sampled before they start work every day. its turnin into east germany round here

heard a few years back that Europe matches the USA's $40 billion per year coke industry