Too early for mandatory drug testing: Key
Mandatory drug testing for adventure tourism businesses is possible if they don't ensure they're drug-free, Prime Minister John Key says.
Families of the 10 passengers killed in the Carterton balloon disaster have told an inquest into the tragedy that there needed to be laws for mandatory drug testing.
They called for mandatory testing after it was found pilot Lance Hopping, who also died in the incident, had cannabis in his system.
New rules requiring adventure tourism businesses to ensure their businesses are drug-free were introduced last year, with businesses having to demonstrate why their drug and alcohol management programmes are appropriate.
Mr Key, who is also tourism minister, wants to see how the new rules work before making tests mandatory.
"I've made it very clear that I expect those operations in the adventure tourism industry to be drug-free, and for the owners of those businesses to administer that policy," he said.
"Any further steps will happen if they fail to demonstrate that they can properly administer their own policies."
He said testing could be difficult to administer for small businesses where there might be only one or two staff.
Sarah Scarlett, whose father Howard Cox and stepmother Diana Cox were among the 11 killed in the Carterton tragedy in January 2012, told the inquest on Friday said the fact Mr Hopping was able to fly despite being a regular cannabis smoker showed mandatory tests were needed.
Coroner Peter Ryan adjourned the hearing after four-and-a-half days.
