Mr Rumble, who has been communicating with the Australian Hoteliers Association in Sydney, said the combination of recreational drugs and alcohol in licensed premises was of concern to licensees.

The AHA have offered to fund a state-wide trial of mandatory drug testing of all people arrested for alleged violent and anti-social behaviour in licensed premises.

It has said it is prepared to put $100,000 towards the state initiative.

Mr Rumble said he supported the idea,

“It’s definitely a positive thing,” he said.

“Use of recreational drugs combined with alcohol creates a chemical imbalance which causes erratic behaviour.

“Statistics show that ecstacy (use) in the state had double over the past couple of years.

“The (average) age of people using it has decreased from 25 (years old) to 23.

“Cocaine use has

doubled.”

“No one admits to

having drugs in their system but they will admit to having a drink.

“There is drug testing in the workplace and in sports but people who commit violence and act up in licensed premises are not tested.”

Oxley Local Area Command Inspector Jeff Budd said police would welcome powers to conduct the testing, however, the drug problem was not just in licensed premises.

“Police would welcome powers that would enable them to conduct random mandatory drug tests in public areas or commercial premises, (but) I cannot envisage the civil libertarians supporting

it,” he said.

“Police have previously experienced opposition from commercial premises across the state when using drug detection dogs. So this proposal is

interesting. “

Inspector Budd said police were pleased the AHA endeavoured to create a safe environment for patrons.

“Police would support other initiatives to assist the AHA in their endeavours to create safe environments and the responsible service of alcohol,” he said.

“The reduction of late trading hours, the introduction of security personnel on all hotels operating after midnight and the increase of mid-strength alcohol would be good starting points.”