A special roadside testing device is helping police take suspected drug-drivers off the road.

Officers were given new powers to use the hand-held “drugalyser” in March last year.

It takes a sample of saliva and can detect 16 illegal substances such as class A drugs cocaine, heroin and ecstasy, as well as cannabis, opiates and prescription drugs.

In Swale, 14 men and two women, aged between 20 and 48, tested positive with the device, according to figures released following a Freedom of Information request.

Eight were in Sittingbourne and surrounding area, four in Sheppey, and four in and around Faversham.

Among the illegal substances detected were cocaine, cannabis, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a form of medical marijuana.

Only six custody reports filed by police stated which substances drivers had been under the influence of, but THC was found in four of them.

Five of the drivers arrested were fined and banned, and five have been charged and are awaiting their day in court.

The cases against the other six were either dropped due to insufficient evidence or discontinued.

Anyone prosecuted faces an automatic 12-month driving ban, up to six months in jail, and/or an unlimited fine.

A conviction also stays on the offender’s driving licence for 11 years.

The potential sentence goes up to three years if the driver is convicted of the same offence twice within 10 years.

Insp Sam Pearson, of the force’s roads policing unit, said: “If you get behind the wheel after consuming drugs then you are presenting a danger to other road users, pedestrians and yourself.

“We will continue to target drivers who put other people in danger to try and reduce the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on Kent’s roads.”

Kent County Council recently launched a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of drug-driving.

It says the offence was responsible for nearly 200 accidents that led to seven deaths and 29 serious injuries across the county in the last two years.

Road safety team leader Vicky Watkins said: “Drug-drivers can suffer from blurred vision, erratic and aggressive behaviour, nausea, hallucinations, panic attacks, paranoia,
shakes, dizziness and fatigue.

“In such a condition, it is a very bad idea to be behind the wheel of a car, for you, your passengers and other people on the roads or pavements.”

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) was also involved in the campaign.

Firefighters were out during half-term speaking to young drivers about the impact drugs can have on their ability to drive.

Motorists were given the chance to wear goggles specially designed to simulate the effects of illegal substances and then asked to carry out simple activities such as walking in a straight line to show them the difference.

KFRS area manager for prevention and protection Mark Rist said: “All too often our firefighters are the first on the scene of a horrific crash, which was the result of the driver being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Many crashes have life-changing impacts on families.

“We would encourage anyone to ask themselves – is it worth the risk?”

Where the drivers were stopped and the results:

• Warren Lane, Hartlip - Disqualified for three years, community order with unpaid work requirement, £85 victim surcharge and £85 costs
• A2 in Newington - Banned from driving for 12 months, £120 fine
• Castle Road, Eurolink, Sittingbourne - Disqualified for 12 months, £300 fine, ordered to pay £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs
• Eurolink Industrial Estate, Sittingbourne - 12-month ban, £375 fine, £38 victim surcharge and £85 costs
• Sittingbourne Golf Club - Released without charge due to insufficient evidence
• Maidstone Road, Sittingbourne - Charged with driving with excess breath/blood alcohol, case still pending
• Old Ferry Road, Iwade - Released without charge due to insufficient evidence

• M20 near Sittingbourne (the driver was processed at the town’s police station) - Released without charge due to insufficient evidence
• Rushenden Road, Queenborough - Disqualified for two years, community order with curfew requirement
• Queenborough Road, Halfway - Charged with failing to provide a specimen, case still pending
• Brielle Way, Sheerness - Charged with failing to provide a specimen, case still pending
• Chapel Street, Minster - Case still pending
• A251 Faversham - Charged and bailed to court but case withdrawn
• A2 Brenley Corner - Released without charge due to insufficient evidence
• M2 Faversham - Released on bail, case still pending
• A2 at junction with A299 - Charged and bailed to court but case discontinued