Police union denounces the lack of drug testing equipment in the Alicante Local Police

The Local Police Workers’ Union (SITAP) has said that officers in the Alicante Traffic Judicial Police Unit should have devices for drug tests while they are driving. They say that this situation makes the city’s roads less safe, especially in the summer when more drivers are high on drugs.

“Once again, the lack of planning and foresight undermines the daily work of police officers, who are forced to resort to legal alternatives to prevent people driving under the influence of drugs from jeopardising the safety of Alicante,” the union says.

SITAP says that this flaw affects not only regular checks, but also car accidents and serious offences, where drivers who show signs of drug use go unpunished because they can’t be tested.

Municipal officials are being accused of “neglect and apathy” by the union organisation, which wants those responsible to be held responsible. “The determination with which the police officers work day after day is surprising, despite the lack of resources, the poor working conditions, and the neglect of superiors, bosses, and politicians,” they tell us.

Because of this, SITAP has officially asked the Alicante City Council for a copy of the contracting records, invoices, and reports that show how drug detection devices were bought and replaced over the last two years, along with the name of the person who is in charge of handling the request.

That’s why the union says that Alicante’s efforts to improve road safety are “deficient, if not nonexistent,” because the city is a tourist destination where drugged driving is a real and growing risk.

Author: Derek Appleton