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MP launches drug test machine, tests positive
News.com.au ^ | June 16, 2005 | AFP

Posted on 06/16/2005 6:56:56 PM PDT by gd124

THE efficiency of a high-tech drug-testing machine unveiled in Britain was amply proven when the government minister showing it off tested positive for cannabis. Edwina Hart, social justice minister in the semi-autonomous regional government of Wales, was found to have been in contact with the drug after having a hand swab analysed by the Ion Track narcotics machine.

William Graham, a member of the Welsh Assembly, who had arranged for police to demonstrate the machine at the Assembly building, also tested positive for cannabis.

However, the politicians were keen to stress that such was the power of the device, positive results could easily come from so-called "cross contamination", for example by touching cash or a door handle previously handled by a drugs user. Advertisement:

"You could pick it up from anywhere couldn't you?" Hart said.

"I can't think where I could have got it from," added Graham.

The Ion Track machine can detect minute traces of drugs, or explosives, several days after someone has come into contact with them, even if they have washed their hands.

Police explained later that while a positive test could not be used as evidence in court, it could help police to target people to search or question.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: donutwatch; drugs; drugtesting; police; wales; wod
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1 posted on 06/16/2005 6:56:56 PM PDT by gd124
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To: gd124
"I can't think where I could have got it from," added Graham.

Yeah, suuuure.

2 posted on 06/16/2005 7:00:00 PM PDT by SIDENET ("You knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Fred.")
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To: gd124
I screwed meself. HA, Ha, this is almost too funny. I don't know where I got it from. Tell them you didn't inhale.
3 posted on 06/16/2005 7:02:07 PM PDT by jec41 (Screaming Eagle)
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To: gd124

Thanks for posting, i'm sitting here laughing my ass off!!!


4 posted on 06/16/2005 7:05:45 PM PDT by 1FASTGLOCK45 (FreeRepublic: More fun than watching Dem'Rats drown like Turkeys in the rain! ! !)
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To: gd124

HA HA! You got busted!

5 posted on 06/16/2005 7:23:16 PM PDT by SIDENET ("You knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Fred.")
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To: SIDENET

4 years ago at the US pennitentiary in leavenworth they tried out a similar device on visitors coming to visit inmates due to drugs being found after visits. They made up the rule that anyone testing positive would be denied entry and visits would be cancelled. After 2 days use, the program was scrapped due to no visits being allowed and a threatened inmate uprising. the machine worked too good, most people dont realize that all used bills have been contaminated by drug users at some point.


6 posted on 06/16/2005 7:37:43 PM PDT by bdfromlv (Leavenworth hard time)
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To: bdfromlv

You would think that they could put a squelch-type device on the machine if it was too sensitive. They probably will have it on the "new and improved" version.


7 posted on 06/16/2005 7:56:28 PM PDT by SIDENET ("You knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Fred.")
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To: bdfromlv
the machine worked too good,

so what good is it? If it can't distinguish between 'casual contact' and real users....

8 posted on 06/16/2005 8:24:31 PM PDT by YankeeinOkieville
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To: YankeeinOkieville
so what good is it? If it can't distinguish between 'casual contact' and real users....

So the Constitution can be done away with, everyone is now a proven suspect. Instant probable cause!!

9 posted on 06/16/2005 8:36:10 PM PDT by Lawgvr1955 (Never draw to an inside straight.)
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To: YankeeinOkieville
so what good is it? If it can't distinguish between 'casual contact' and real users....

...from the article:
it could help police to target people to search

Obviously it does exactly what they want. They can pull it out and get probable cause to search anyone. The perfect law enforcement tool.

10 posted on 06/16/2005 8:37:52 PM PDT by RandomUserName
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To: Abram; AlexandriaDuke; Annie03; Babu; Baby Bear; bassmaner; Bernard; BJClinton; BlackbirdSST; ...
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
11 posted on 06/17/2005 12:54:27 AM PDT by freepatriot32 (www.lp.org)
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To: Wolfie

ping


12 posted on 06/17/2005 12:54:55 AM PDT by freepatriot32 (www.lp.org)
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To: YankeeinOkieville; PaxMacian; WindMinstrel; philman_36; headsonpikes; cryptical; vikzilla; ...
so what good is it? If it can't distinguish between 'casual contact' and real users....

Well duh. "Casual contacts" are reserved for politicians, the elite, and their offspring. "Real users" are everybody else.

13 posted on 06/17/2005 2:56:32 AM PDT by Wolfie
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To: gd124
"I can't think where I could have got it from," added Graham.

Duuuuuuude I mean, Duuuuuuuuude (sniff, sniff), that's some baaaadaasssed weeed Duuuuuude.

14 posted on 06/17/2005 3:14:37 AM PDT by Smokin' Joe (Grant no power to government you would not want your worst enemies to wield against you.)
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To: SIDENET
You would think that they could put a squelch-type device on the machine if it was too sensitive. They probably will have it on the "new and improved" version.

That way they can crank up the gain for 'the usual suspects'....

15 posted on 06/17/2005 3:16:24 AM PDT by Smokin' Joe (Grant no power to government you would not want your worst enemies to wield against you.)
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To: Wolfie

Wouldn't it be a hoot to drug test congress?


16 posted on 06/17/2005 5:50:50 AM PDT by 68 grunt (3/1 India, 3rd, 68-69, 0311)
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To: 68 grunt

You'd think they'd be the first to pony up. But for some reason, they ain't volunteering.


17 posted on 06/17/2005 5:53:01 AM PDT by Wolfie
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To: Wolfie

Even funnier would be ponyin' up their kidlin's. There was just a report on tv about some study of cannabis usage in citys. It said it generally followed colleges. The 'highest' was Boston! SF and noCal were in the top ten. I don't recall what they said, but I think Boston was around 18% and Iowa was around 3%. I wonder what the percentage of politicians kids would be? I'd guess somewhere around 90%.


18 posted on 06/17/2005 6:33:07 AM PDT by 68 grunt (3/1 India, 3rd, 68-69, 0311)
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To: bdfromlv
Virutally 100% of US paper currency is contaminated with cocaine. Even the counting machines are federal reserve banks are contaminated.

I remember a case several years ago where a guy was pulled over and the cop did a field test for drugs and found the guys money contaminated with coke so he arrested him. At trial, as part of his defense his lawyer got several bills from the arresting officers wallet and the judges, all of which tested positive. Regardless the man was convicted. I know it went to appeal but don't know how it turned out.

As the technology improves we all become at a greater risk of wrongful arrest and conviction.

There is not a single person reading this thread who would not test positive for drug contamination.

The WOD has long been out of control.

19 posted on 06/17/2005 6:34:27 AM PDT by Phantom Lord (Advantages are taken, not handed out)
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To: 68 grunt
Congressional Family Drug Offenders Escape Mandatory Sentences, Get Favorable Treatment
20 posted on 06/17/2005 6:40:14 AM PDT by Wolfie
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