But on Monday in Orange Local Court 22 drivers faced charges of driving with cannabis or ice in their system as part of the police crackdown on people who drive and take drugs.

This figure far exceeds the previous highest number of Orange drivers appearing on any given day at court, with 13 drug-driving charges dealt with at Orange Local Court on August 31.

The number of drug-driving cases before court yesterday is in stark contrast to five PCA drink-driving offenders.

The majority of drug-drivers facing court used the defence they had no idea of the length of time after consuming an illegal drug, it could be detected by police in a roadside drug test.

Magistrate Terry Lucas found himself repeating a warning to drivers over and over again yesterday.

“I know I might get sick of saying this but this is a new offence and a lot of people are going to get caught,” he told one offender.

“Don’t you know this can stay in your system for a long time,” Mr Lucas told another offender.

One father of two young children who had an impeccable record, was given a section 10 which means no conviction recorded, after his solicitor told the court his client who was well thought of in the community, took “one drag” on a cannabis joint handed around the room following a rugby celebration and tested positive one week later.

“We are seeing a lot of people in the community being caught like this,” solicitor Peter Boyd said.

The majority of drivers received the minimum three months’ disqualification in court yesterday with fines ranging from a minimum of $400.

However several drivers had their cases adjourned to complete the driver education program at the PCYC or to engage in counselling through the Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) program and will be sentenced on completion of those programs.

Another young male who was granted an adjournment to get legal advice said, he had put himself into rehabilitation after being caught driving twice within a few weeks with cannabis and methamphetamines (ice) in his system.

Lyndon Withdrawal Unit deputy chief executive officer Doctor Julaine Allan said yesterday she continues to be surprised by the amount of resources going into drug-driving detection after a minimal education program.

“It just doesn’t make sense for someone to lose their licence weeks after they have taken an illegal drug when a driver is not necessarily affected, Dr Allan said.

“At the moment the legislation doesn’t appear to be about the effect a drug has on a driver,” she said.