That’s just the start of a continuing campaign against the scourge, say Goulburn Police.

The accused were netted mainly in a three-day operation in August when police had a drug testing unit on loan from Sydney.

In early October Goulburn Police secured permanent testing equipment. Over five weeks, another 81 motorists out of 400 tested have returned positive roadside indications to illicit drugs in their system. That’s a ratio of one in nearly five drivers.

“It’s appalling,” Goulburn Highway Patrol Sergeant Rod Cranston said.

“(The ratio) is high throughout society. Recently there was a weekend operation in Queanbeyan, Gundagai and Wagga Wagga and in each location 30 people returned positive roadside tests.”

On Wednesday, many of the accused pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of either cannabis or methylamphetamine, or in some cases both. The equipment tests only for these drugs.

The majority pleaded guilty and agreed to undertake a Traffic Offenders Program. Magistrate Geraldine Beattie said she was obliged to consider the course’s completion in sentencing.

The majority of cases were adjourned until December 17, and some to January 7.

Joshua Stephen Bonfili, of Bungonia Rd did not appear in court.

He was convicted of driving with illicit drugs in his blood (first offence), fined $1200 and disqualified from driving for six months.

Sgt Cranston said 90 per cent of those detected in the last five weeks were locals and some were targeted.

“Some have been caught two and three times and that’s the disappointing thing,” he said.

“People continue to take drugs and put the rest of the community at risk. Who is to say that their ability not to control a motor vehicle won’t kill one of your children or your parents?” Up until recently, the Highway Patrol was only targeting the heavy vehicle industry with drug testing. But now they’re hitting all road users.

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Sgt Cranston believes this is due to the city’s location on the Hume Highway.

Officers have the capacity to use it 24 hours a day.

“Anywhere, anytime, you may be subjected to a roadside drug test,” Sgt Cranston said.

“This is all about road safety and the safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians. We’d love to have no positive results but unfortunately people in society make the wrong choice and choose to take illicit substances and get behind the wheel.

“It’s a warning to people in Goulburn that this type of testing is here to stay and for a long time. It’s now your choice.”

Sgt Cranston said while his operations were about road safety, the testing could reduce drug supply in Goulburn.

ACROSS NSW in 2013, police undertook 34,280 random drug tests for 729 positive results. That’s one in 47 drivers.

Inspector Stephen Blair from Sydney’s random drug testing unit said motorists had to realise police had the capacity to do random drug tests in any part of the state.

“The message is simple – don’t do drugs. If you do, then don’t drive a motor vehicle,” he said.

“A driver who has illicit drugs in his system is four times more likely to cause a crash that results in injury or death.”

Recent enforcement in Narrabri, Bourke and Lightning Ridge tested 280 drivers, resulting in 47 roadside positive indications to illicit drugs.

Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said police would increase the number of roadside tests.

“There is a perception, particularly among young people that you can’t drink and drive but you can take illegal substances and get away with it. Well, they are wrong,” he said