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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: You can't have a beer without a drugs test
Ruth Holmes Thisishertfordshire.co.uk
Friday 28 Apr 2006 PUNTERS at a village pub were only allowed in the door on Saturday night if they agreed to be tested for drugs. Five people were found to have traces of drugs on them when police officers used a portable drugs testing kit, known as an itemiser, to test customers at The Swan public house in Wheathampstead High Street. However, when searched no one was found to be in possession of illegal substances. Harpenden Community Sergeant Lewis Ducket said: "The positive readings show that the person has physically come into contact with illegal drugs it does not mean they have ingested the substances. "It may be that they have unintentionally been in contact with someone who handles drugs or surfaces that have drug traces on them. "If the Itemiser detects traces of drugs, it gives the police grounds to carry out a search of the person to see if they are in possession of controlled substances." The Swan volunteered to take part in the operation and only those who agreed to be tested could get in. Sergeant Ducket added: "This was a good opportunity for police to work with the landlord and staff of The Swan. "It sent out a clear message that the taking or supply of drugs will not be tolerated on the premises." Sergeant Ducket said the pub had asked police to run the initiative after police tests had found traces of drugs in the pub toilets. The test works by taking a swab and wiping it across the palm of the person and placing it in the itemiser which analyses the substance and gives a result within ten seconds. The machine, which is used by organisations such as the Military and Customs and Excise, can test up to 200 different types of drugs including cocaine, heroin, cannabis, amphetamine and ecstasy. Alex Evans of the Spirit Group, which owns and operates The Swan, said: "We forewarned customers that testing would be taking place and people were more than willing to support the initiative. "Spirit and the pub manager feel that this was a good opportunity to work with the police as part of an ongoing preventative measure highlighting our no tolerance policy on drugs. "We want all our pubs to be safe and relaxing and are certain customers will feel the same way." http://www.thisishertfordshire.co.uk/
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