Pubdate: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 Source: Globe and Mail (Canada) Page: A6 Copyright: 2003, The Globe and Mail Company Contact: http://www.globeandmail.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168 Author: Kim Lunman Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) OTTAWA PLANS TO LET POLICE CONDUCT ROADSIDE DRUG TESTS OTTAWA -- Ottawa is preparing to change the law as early as next year to allow police officers to test motorists suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. "It's in the works," said Patrick Charette, a Justice Department spokesman. "Ideally, we'd like to be able to proceed with a bill in the New Year." The federal government released a consultation paper yesterday outlining amended legislation that would allow police to take saliva, blood, perspiration and urine samples to determine whether a driver has drugs, including marijuana, in his or her system. In the document, the Justice Department outlined several options to allow police to administer the tests and gather evidence for possible criminal charges. The proposed changes would create a legal drug limit, allow the collection of such samples and impose penalties for refusal to comply. Under present laws, police officers can ask drivers only whether they have used drugs; they cannot administer a test. Officers rely on symptoms of impairment such as driving behaviour and witness testimony to prosecute motorists. "If officers do not have specific drug assessment training, this task can be nearly impossible," the document states. Although it's illegal in Canada to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol, no quick roadside test exists for drug use. Alcohol consumption can be measured by breath analysis. The options outlined in the document would allow police officers to collect samples after conducting other sobriety tests, including eye examinations and physical examinations to search for injection sites. "Based upon a reasonable suspicion of a drug in the body, a peace officer could be authorized to demand a saliva or sweat sample at road site," the document states. Critics yesterday accused the government of pushing ahead with the proposed amendments as it fast-tracks legislation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. "They're putting the cart before the horse," said Sophie Roux, spokeswoman for the Canadian Professional Police Association. "We're distressed that they're rushing ahead with this legislation." A special parliamentary committee is reviewing a bill that would make possession of small amounts of marijuana punishable by fines rather than a criminal offence. The government is considering reducing the amount of cannabis punishable by fine in the bill from 15 grams to 10 grams, but critics of the legislation argue it will send the wrong message to young Canadians. "We think they should go with a national drug strategy first," Ms. Roux said. Mr. Charette said the government has been examining amending the law to improve impaired-driving provisions of the Criminal Code since 1999. Mothers Against Drunk Driving said the consultation paper does not address broader concerns about the impact of relaxing marijuana laws. "You can't possibly look at decriminalizing marijuana without looking at all the effects," said Louise Knox, national president of MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "It just doesn't make sense," she said. "You've got to protect the Canadian public before you pass this type of legislation. It makes absolutely no sense to me why they're pushing it." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom