Pubdate: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2003, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.fyitoronto.com/torsun.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457 Author: Jonathan Jenkins, Toronto Sun DRUG 'EXPERTS' TAKE TO STREETS Toking Drivers Are Impaired Too: Police Armed with new information, police hope to broaden the war on drunk driving to include those stoned or high on drugs other than alcohol. "We're talking about the complete spectrum of drugs in this country," Toronto Police Deputy Chief Mike Boyd said. "We're talking about Ecstasy, we're talking about PCP, we're talking about heroin, and cocaine." Boyd was speaking yesterday at the graduation of 19 police and Corrections Canada officers from a three-week course on how to detect those impaired by drugs, the first of its kind in Canada. The graduates, from across the country, are now considered drug-recognition experts. Pointing to one study that suggested younger drivers are more likely to toke and drive rather than drink and drive, Boyd said there's a huge need for such experts. "Especially when you consider the highly potent marijuana that is on the streets of Canada today," he said. The training program has its roots in British Columbia, where police say they've had considerable success in convincing courts to accept officers' testimony during impaired driving trials. In Ontario, a charge was thrown out three weeks ago when a judge ruled the lack of expert testimony left reasonable doubt as to whether a medicinal marijuana user was impaired after a cop spotted him smoking a joint behind the wheel. "The courts are unaware of just the level of impairment drugs cause," said RCMP Const. Wayne Jeffery, one of the course instructors. RCMP Const. Evan Graham, another course instructor, said cops should be allowed to demand a sample of blood, urine or saliva for toxicology testing, which would clinch the impairment analysis in court. "Definitely -- it's no different than someone who's stopped under the influence of alcohol," Graham said. "We can do it roadside. It's not invasive." - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager