Pubdate: Thu, 30 Dec 2004
Source: Vaughan Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004 Vaughan Citizen.
Contact:  http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/newscentre/vaughancitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2432
Author: Martin Derbyshire
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

YORK POLICE TRAIN INVESTIGATORS TO RECOGNIZE DRUG IMPAIRMENT

Det.-Const. Timothy Kuttschrutter can tell if you are on drugs.

The York Regional Police drug recognition expert, one of two on the force 
and only 16 in the province, looks at those things a body can't control, 
such as blood pressure, body temperature and, of course, the constriction 
or dilation of the pupils.

"There are certain things in the body you don't have control over, no 
matter what you try," he said.

"Those are the telltale signs you may be impaired by a drug."

The average pupil is around three to 6.5 mm. Det.-Const. Kuttschrutter said 
he's seen the pupil of a person under the influence of a narcotic constrict 
to as small as 1.5 mm, the size of a pinhole.

The drug recognition expert program was started in 1979 by the Los Angeles 
Police Department.

Being certified as a drug detection specialist means an officer has the 
knowledge, skills and ability to form an expert opinion regarding 
impairment by drugs.

Right now, it's mainly being used to stop people from driving while under 
the influence of drugs, the officer said.

Once a driver is stopped, officers can perform a standardized field 
sobriety test, which may include things such as walking and turning or 
standing on one leg.

Since spring 2004, 25 front-line York officers have been trained to 
complete such tests, which help form reasonable grounds to suspect 
impairment by drugs or alcohol.

"What you look for with an impaired person is the inability to perform 
motor and mental skills," Det.-Const. Kuttschrutter said.

If the officer suspects the driver is impaired, an expert is called.

A 45-minute evaluation is performed by the expert, who will try to 
determine, through a series of psychological and physical tests, which 
category of drug the driver may have used.

Then they ask for a blood, urine or oral fluid swab sample to corroborate 
their findings.

As of the beginning of December, Det.-Const. Kuttschrutter and the force's 
other expert have performed nine consensual drug detection evaluations.

As a result, nine people have been charged with drug-related impaired 
driving charges. The cases have yet to make their way through the courts.

However, the real work is expected to begin should the federal government 
decriminalize marijuana.

Coming hand-in-hand with decriminalization is Bill C-16, introduced in the 
house of commons Nov. 1.

The bill proposes changes to the criminal code that would enable police 
officers to demand drivers suspected of being impaired by a drug undergo a 
standardized field sobriety test or a drug detection evaluation.

It would also make it an offence to refuse to provide an oral fluid, urine 
or blood sample on demand.

With relaxed public attitudes toward marijuana, the drug being increasingly 
used for medicinal purposes and decriminalization on the way, Det.-Const. 
Kuttschrutter, who will train other drug experts in the new year, expects 
to be busy.

"Right now, it's a learning curve for the guys on the road," he said. "This 
thing is really brand new for all of us."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager