DNA-based roadside meth testing kit in development

The Government has been urged to introduce random roadside drug testing immediately. But New Zealand researchers who are working on an innovative drug test say the equivalent of a booze bus for drugs is a long way off.

New Zealand scientists are developing a test which could quickly detect whether a motorist has been using methamphetamine.

It is hoped the testing method being devised by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) and a New Zealand biotech company could eventually be used for roadside testing and cover other drugs including cannabis and synthetic cannabis.

But as advocates and politicians agitate for the urgent introduction of a testing regime, researchers warn that a fast, effective drug-testing device is possibly years away.

ESR and New Zealand-based company AuramerBio hope to overcome some of the obstacles with new technology which would quickly detect targeted drugs using a driver’s saliva.

The technology uses synthetic DNA programmed to recognise specific drugs which could impair driving. The DNA is wrapped around gold nanoparticles and when they are in the presence of a targeted drug, the nanoparticles are released and clump together, giving a colourful reaction.

The first step for the researchers is getting the DNA strand to detect meth and not other drugs.

Then it must detect the right amount of the drug, so it is not picking up traces of meth on people who have not used the drug. And lastly it must be put into a device which can be used by police at checkpoints and produce consistent results.

“So we’re a wee way off having anything at the roadside,” ESR forensic toxicologist Dr Helen Poulsen said.