New Zealand Roadside Drug Testing Reveals 3.3% Positivity Rate in Initial Screenings
New Zealand's roadside drug testing program, which began in December 2025 in Wellington and expanded nationwide by July 1, has reported a 3.3% positivity rate for initial screenings. Out of 4,145 tests conducted between December 15 and June 30, 136 drivers returned positive results. The testing process involves a DrugWipe 3S device that screens for THC (cannabis), MDMA/methamphetamine, and cocaine. If the initial test is positive, drivers provide an oral fluid sample for lab analysis and undergo a second tongue test. If the second screening is positive, the driver is prohibited from driving for 12 hours. Northland recorded the highest positivity rate at 7.7%, with 9 positive results out of 117 tests. Methamphetamine/MDMA was the most commonly detected drug at first screening, appearing more frequently than cannabis in nine out of 13 police districts, despite cannabis being widely considered the most used illicit drug in New Zealand.