The family of Lillian Groves, a 14-year-old killed in 2010 by a speeding driver subsequently found to be under the influence of cannabis, have spent the day at Concateno’s headquarters in Abingdon.

They visited the company to see a demonstration of its Alere DDS2 Mobile Test System, and to discuss how it can play an active part in helping police prevent drug driving on Britain’s roads.

Named after Lillian Groves, Lillian’s Law is a campaign founded by her family and is dedicated to accelerating the introduction of police roadside drug testing in the UK.

The campaign is also supported by their local MP, Gavin Barwell of Croydon, who has brought the issue of drug driving to parliament.

Alongside this, Concateno has also called for the introduction of roadside drug testing in the UK following its laboratory’s research and development of the Alere DDS2 Mobile Test System, launched worldwide in October 2011.

Concateno’s handheld drug testing device enables police to determine if a driver is under the influence of up to five drugs from a single saliva sample within five minutes. The drugs that can be identified by the kit include cocaine, cannabis, opiates, amphetamines and methamphetamines.

Unlike some other countries, roadside drug testing devices are still not approved for the UK and remain unavailable for police use.

The family of Lillian Groves said: “We, the family, hope that actions are taken to make the drug-analyser available so offenders can be caught, roadside tested, prosecuted and appropriately sentenced for their crime.

“This simple and effective device would not just act as a deterrent, as the breathalyser has for those who drink drive, it would decrease the amount of drug driving incidents.

“This would no doubt save lives, instead of destroying them.”

Concateno has spent the past 10 years lobbying the government to make improvements to road safety in the UK, submitting responses to the North Review and previous Governments’ consultation strategies.

Last October, Concateno was invited to speak at the Transport Select Committee’s Inquiry into a Drink and Drug Driving Law where the company was asked to provide oral evidence.

Concateno’s director of business and public affair Graham Sievers cites the use of drug testing technology by police abroad as evidence of the life-saving potential it could have in the UK.

He said: “Concateno were glad to show Lillian’s parents the sort of device that is already saving lives around the world. Drug driving is a serious problem for road safety and there is growing evidence to indicate that there are now just as many drug drivers on the road as there are drink drivers.”
 

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