On 11 October 2019, it was announced that Kava importation laws were to be relaxed in a trial that aimed to strengthen cultural and economic ties with our Pacific Island neighbours. More than two years later, the commercial importation of Kava for use as a food was allowed.
Law enforcement agencies anticipated this would make the plant-derived antidepressant drug more readily available and therefore more likely to impede drivers on our roads.
For our Forensic and Analytical Science Service (FASS) Drugs and Driving Toxicology Laboratory it was yet another new hurdle in the ever-evolving drug enforcement race.
The lab tests police samples from drivers thought to be under the influence of drugs and provides critical intelligence for investigations.
The screening method it used at the time could detect up to 82 drugs in blood and urine – but not Kava.
To respond to the changed legislation and keep the faith of police and justice partners, the team had to act fast.
The thorough, timely development and validation provided a new way to screen for six Kava-related compounds and added another 24 drugs in response to policing requirements – a 34 per cent increase in scope.
The extraction process was updated in line with scientific advances. Instruments were used to their full potential delivering a 200 per cent increase in throughput from decreased sample preparation and run time.
All this was achieved in a challenging timeframe with no impact on business-as-usual work or stakeholder priorities.
The team demonstrated its willingness and ability to innovate and continually improve service to keep pace with our clients’ needs.