Pubdate: Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Cpl. Diane Blain
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05.n1983.a01.html

MARIJUANA IMPAIRMENT

I'd like to provide further information regarding the article on "drug
recognition."

Police cannot demand blood if impaired driving by drugs alone is
suspected.

There must be a combination of drugs and alcohol, or if there has been
an accident and a Datamaster is not possible.

Bill C-16 has been introduced in Parliament to address
this.

Current science supports impairment by marijuana for between three and
five hours, and not for 24 hours. This is conservative, but the only
measure defensible in court.

Some studies imply impairment may last for much longer, but that has
not yet been validated.

Urine testing doesn't show impairment, but indicates only if a person
took marijuana within the last two to four weeks. Blood or saliva
testing is required to determine more recent ingestion.

Langley RCMP is pleased the article raised the profile of
drug-impaired driving and opened a discussion about this serious
issue. We're grateful for the chance to clarify information within the
article.

Cpl. Diane Blain

Langley RCMP
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin