Drug dogs unleashed for raids on parties

[Tom]

POLICE will be given new powers to use sniffer dogs trained in cocaine and designer-drug detection to randomly search private premises, including parties.

 

Parents who host teenage parties could request police undertake drug spot checks at their venue in a bid to reduce the increasing incidence of violence spilling into suburbs.

 

Police Minister Judy Spence said yesterday the new laws, to be debated in State Parliament this week and likely to be in place for Christmas and the Schoolies festival, were targeted at drug dealers who preyed on youth.

 

Three labradors will be trained to ignore cannabis but detect amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, angel dust and GHB.

 

Drug-detection dogs have been able to check people in public spaces, but the new laws give police access to nightclubs, pubs, concerts and major events such as sporting Test matches and grand finals.

 

Ms Spence said it was a priority for the Government to stop illicit drug use in nightclubs and hotels.

 

"Designer drugs and cocaine can cause extreme violent behaviour, especially when mixed with alcohol in what becomes a dangerous chemical cocktail," Ms Spence said.

 

Asked if the new laws could be extended to curtail problems at private parties, she said: "I don't think the police would ever be in a position where they would randomly go to a private party. But if, for example, someone requested that the drug-detection dogs come into the premises then I'm sure police would be free to use them for that purpose."

 

Premier Peter Beattie said the new laws would complement a Brisbane City Safety Action Plan he released in March.

 

"The new laws will enable police to search someone, without a warrant, if the dog gives them a reasonable suspicion," he said.

 

"And that's the safety net, a reasonable suspicion that the person possesses banned drugs.

 

"No one who follows the law will have anything to fear from these detection dogs.

 

"These new laws will target dealers and users of cocaine and designer drugs, which can kill a user and can also cause explosions of lethal violence.

 

"They will use the powers judiciously, targeting areas that are most likely to be hotbeds for drug dealing and use."

 

He said it did not open the door to decriminalising cannabis.

 

The dogs, which will wear protective boots to protect the pads of their feet, will undergo an intensive 13-week training course.

 

A spokesman for Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg accused Mr Beattie of trying to milk the initiative, and said it was "about the 10th time that the Premier has released the 'new' announcement" after some details were revealed earlier this year.

 

"Here is a man desperately seeking a diversion," the spokesman said. "The jury's out on whether we support this or not."

 

He said the progress of the new laws would be tracked.

 

"However, if people have got nothing to hide, they've got nothing to worry about," he said.

 

"We'll be ready for it and a willing participant in debate."

 

Author:Renee Viellaris

Date:27sep05

Source:The Courier Mail

Copyright:© Queensland Newspapers

 

[Mushaman]

shit, Big Brother has arrived

[jackfrost]

very interesting that they are not targeting cannabis in the new dogs. must be 2 many stoners in brissie and that would impact 2 greatly on betties job, if he targeted weed.

[HighRising]

very interesting that they are not targeting cannabis in the new dogs. must be 2 many stoners in brissie and that would impact 2 greatly on betties job, if he targeted weed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I think that's it. If they sniffed Weed too, they'd have to arrest everyone at the party.

 

It makes sense that they only sniff the hard stuff. That's what they are most concerned about, which is fair enough with me.

[dsyfer]

"... which can kill a user and can also cause explosions of lethal violence".

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Luckily alcohol does no such thing, I always thought parties would be so much nicer and friendlier when we could get rid of the drugs and just have alcohol.

[Frazz]

"The new laws will enable police to search someone, without a warrant, if the dog gives them a reasonable suspicion," he said.

 

"And that's the safety net, a reasonable suspicion that the person possesses banned drugs.

 

So now your civil liberties are decided by a dog, what sort of [/i]saftey net is that?

 

are the dogs so smart or the coppers so dumb?

this has got to be recipe for general fuck-ups, and i though that Bonko-Peterson was bad well this Beat-off must take the cake (or bone).

 

Dsyfer, your right about the alcohol, that was the first thing that struck a chord with me too

[tartass]

but the new laws give police access to nightclubs, pubs, concerts and major events such as sporting Test matches and grand finals.

 

UMM they have been going into clubs,and pubs with dogs for some years now my last charge was for possesion from a dog entering a kings cross pub.Concerts such as big day out always have sniffer dogs out front.As do all bigger raves festivals, dance partys whatever you wish to call them these days

 

As for private partys that is trully fucked hopefully they can only search with a dog if parents or owner of the house gives permission. Hopefully no parent allowing a party at their house is that fucked up to call the pigs and sniffer dogs in.

 

Alchole causes violence not party drugs

Edited September 28, 2005 by tartass

[Tom]

Hopefully no parent allowing a party at their house is that fucked up to call the pigs and sniffer dogs in.

It certainlywouldn't contribute to the building of trust or respect between the parents and kids.

 

Alchole causes violence not party drugs

I would rather see my kids wasted on mj than pissed any day.

 

[Pickle]

What kind of parent calls the cops to their kids parties?

 

"Son, i know this is going to ruin your prospects for the rest of your life, but it's for your own good"

[Tom]

"Son, i know this is going to ruin your prospects for the rest of your life, but it's for your own good"

I can hear my parents coming out with that line. ::