But some venue managers doubt the proposed toughened laws would have much effect, stressing staff have little capacity to prevent sneaky drug-taking under their rooves.

ACT police are "unable to take action against a licensed premises" when they suspect it's being used as a loophole for the supply of illicit drugs, according to the ACT Government's alcohol white paper released by Attorney-General Simon Corbell earlier this month.

Currently, it is an offence to sell or supply a drug of dependence or prohibited substance to any person, with maximum penalties of five years imprisonment and $375,000 for a company or $75,000 for an individual.

In their submission to the white paper, police called for a broader offence, "where a licensee, employee or agent of a licensee has knowingly allowed or deliberately turned a blind eye to the use, possession, sale or supply of prohibited drugs on the premises."

The new offence, which is already applied in NSW (without necessarily the same penalties), would carry a maximum fine of $7500 for a company and $37,500 for an individual.

Venue manager of Civic bar Shorty's, Zac Graham, acknowledged that drug use in Canberra's nightlife was a problem, but believed many venues already did their best minimise it.

"We have cameras outside the disabled toilets and we kick people out when they go in together if we think that's what's happening," he said.

"But we can't have the staff standing at the toilets and keeping an eye on people all night, there's just really no way for us to patrol that."

"We can't just knock down the doors."

Mr Graham said he tips the police off when he suspects people are on drugs, which he considered his duty.

But he said punishing venues for the individual's behaviour was unreasonable, and that it would be extremely difficult to prove which workers, if any, had knowingly ignored the crime taking place.

He did express support for the white paper's recommendation to broaden the definition of intoxication to include that of drugs. It would give venues greater powers to refuse service or entry to those suspected of taking illegal substances, with or without alcohol.

Peter Conway, who ended a decade on the ACT Liquor Licensing Board early this year, thought police and liquor licensing workers had long been hamstrung in investigating drug use in nightclubs.

"By making the venues responsible it will give them a greater interest on who is coming into their premises, who the potential sellers are of these illegal substances," he said.

Attorney-general Simon Corbell said it was clearly inappropriate for a licensee to facilitate, promote or knowingly act illegally in their venue.

When asked how this could be proved, he said it would vary from case to case.

"The offence might be made out if police had evidence that staff were aware of an incidence of supply of drugs at the licensed venue but had taken no action," he said.

"For example, reporting the supply to the licensee and/or police and evicting the persons involved."

Mr Corbell was confident it would "discourage and prevent" the use of venues for the consumption and sale of drugs.

ACT Policing did not comment specifically on their submission, but said they were currently reviewing the government's alcohol white paper.

Other key proposals being considered include 3am last drinks for bars and nightclubs, and massively increased licensed fees if venues choose to serve later. The fee for bigger bottle shops would also rise by 25 per cent.

The white paper opened for six weeks of public comment from April 6.