NORTH Wales police officers and civilian staff could be tested for drugs within the next few months.
The random tests will be compulsory for some, such as firearms officers.
Chief constable Richard Brunstrom, who has called for some drugs to be made legal, failed to complete the test himself when pressed by a pro-cannabis campaigner.
He accepted a challenge from Jeff Ditchfield, who admits to supplying the drug for medicinal purposes from his premises in Water Street, Rhyl.
It came at the end of Mr Brunstrom's latest meet-the-public session in the town.
After once again calling for a shake-up of drug controls and legislation the chief constable was asked by Mr Ditchfield whether he intended to follow through the promise he made last year to introduce testing in the force.
Mr Brunstrom replied: "Staff associations were desperately concerned but we have taken the decision that we will be introducing a form of random testing.
"It is likely that in any organisation of 2,500 people there are some who take illegal drugs and all large organisations should have such a policy," he said.
Mr Brunstrom said it would be impossible to test all officers but it should be compulsory for some such as firearms officers.
Asked by Mr Ditchfield if he was prepared to take a test, he replied: "I am very happy to do so."
Mr Ditchfield produced a testing kit of the type used by some companies, which involved taking saliva samples.
After trying for several minutes the chief constable, who had just finished speaking for more than two hours, failed to produce enough saliva to register.
"My mouth is very dry, but I'll happily have another go when we introduce it in the force," he said.
Afterwards Mr Ditchfield commented: "I like the guy. He's prepared to speak out on what he thinks is right, not just what people might want to hear."
Mr Brunstrom told the meeting, attended by only about 20 members of the public, that addicts needed help. He found it impossible to explain to his children why drugs such as tobacco and alcohol were legal when heroin, cocaine and cannabis were illegal.
"Cannabis is demonstrably less dangerous and less addictive than alcohol," he said.
In Holland, he said, the number of cannabis users was falling because it was considered boring.
"I don't condone the use of any addictive substances for any purpose, but even though they may be bad for you it doesn't mean they should be illegal.
"I think we are hung up on cannabis in this country," he said.
When the scheme was first mooted in February 2003, Police Federation secretary Richard Eccles said he would not support random drug-testing.
Ditchfield arrest
JEFFREY Ditchfield was arrested yesterday morning and interviewed at Rhyl police station on suspicion of conspiracy to cultivate cannabis and being concerned in the supply of the drug.
He was bailed to return on August 18. Last night Mr Ditchfield told the Daily Post: "I was told that I would be charged on the date.
"It doesn't surprise me because I have always said that I could never turn my back on anyone who comes to me for cannabis for medicinal purposes," he said.
