ESSEX have announced they have now arrested more than 1,700 people on suspicion of drug driving so far this year.

Officers have made 63 drug driving arrests in the first 12 months of December taking the total in 2019 to 1,738.

These figures come after the force launched its first ever anti-drug driving specific campaign where we're asking 'Is the high worth the low?' in partnership with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership.

The campaign is highlighting three main things:

• There are more than 500 officers trained to use drug wipes so if you drug drive you're more likely to be caught than ever;

• Drugs stick around in your system so even if you don't feel stoned or impaired you could still be over the drug driving limit;

• The consequences of drug driving are really serious – you could lose your licence, your job, and your home. Even worse you could kill yourself or someone else.

Launching the campaign, Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, said: "Drug driving shatters lives. In 2018 drugs were a factor in one in three fatal collisions. It is unacceptable and it is completely avoidable.

"We've more than 500 officers trained to use drug wipes so you're actually more likely to get caught than ever before.

"Even if you don't look or feel stoned you could still be over the drug driving limit, and if you're stopped and drug wiped you'll be arrested.

"And the consequences of drug driving are huge – it could lead you to losing your licence, your job, your home, or even your life.

"Is the high worth the low?

"Drugs are illegal so you shouldn't be taking them anyway, but if you are going to please don't get behind the wheel."

In addition to the 63 drug driving arrests, officers made 56 drink driving arrests and 22 failing to provide a specimen arrests.