Madness
At some point in the past someone of some influence must have said:
"We really should not have pilots flying their aircraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Let's put this into some form of (better) regulation"
I don't think anyone disputes the viewpoint, and alcohol and drugs were already mentioned in the regulations anyway.
CASA has now released this new regulation dealing with Alcohol and Drugs, its detection and penalties. As the regulation developed ever more areas of activity where added because they were seen as SSAA's in some form.
Reading the regulation, strictly speaking, a passenger packing his bags at home for a flight the next day is already performing a SSAA, and as such may be subject to ..... etc etc
The regulation has become applicable to a very very big group of people, ie pilots, cabin staff, maintainers, cleaners, baggage handlers, manufacturers of aircraft components and presumably those that produce parts for components, refuellers, etc etc ... you can make the list just about as long as you want.
It is obvious that CASA, in their haste to produce a politically "fantastic" piece of regulation, has stuffed it up big time. It has "stupidity" written all over it....!!!
There are so many problems and uncertainties with the workings of this new regulation that it boggles the mind that it is being implemented at all!!??
But in the name of "Safety", "Security" and "Protecting the Fare Paying Passenger" one non-sensical rule after the other can be (and is) fielded.
Look at how big the aviation security industry is now. A multi billion dollar market to detect toothpaste, shampoo and drinking water...!!!
The DAMPS industry is just forming and it will just be another gravy train for the fast operators (contractors). The wide intrepretation of who can be tested as per the regulation will make sure that the market grows rapidly (and is very profitably).
Madness........