Pubdate: Thu, 16 Nov 2006 Source: Chronicle Herald (CN NS) Copyright: 2006 The Halifax Herald Limited Contact: http://thechronicleherald.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving) DRUG-FREE DRIVERS ONE FOR the road will soon be taking on new meaning as Prime Minister Stephen Harper expands the crusade against drunk drivers to include motorists on drugs. While booze was once targeted the most for those getting behind the wheel, curbing drug usage will soon become the subject of new federal laws aimed at making Canada's highways safer for motorists and pedestrians alike. "Just as governments once took action on drunk driving, we must act today to make drug-impaired driving just as socially unacceptable," Mr. Harper declared last week in Kitchener, Ont., as he promised to introduce new laws to target drugged drivers. The prime minister said the bill, expected to be tabled in the Commons next week, will provide police with more tools to detect drug-impaired drivers. Right now, it isn't as easy for law-enforcement officers to nab drivers suspected of being on drugs as it is to detect motorists who may have had one too many drinks before hitting the road. Procedures and protocols have been developed over the years to determine whether drivers are drunk, be it establishing strict blood levels measured by accurate breathalysers or adhering to laws that have stood the test of time in court hearings. Mr. Harper admits there are "technological challenges" to be overcome in terms of testing for certain kinds of drugs. In addition, police officers face legal problems in arresting someone suspected of using drugs. The latter shortcoming must be adequately addressed if the proposed new laws are to help in apprehending drug-impaired drivers. Any bill introduced in a minority Parliament faces a rough ride, and runs the distinct risk of becoming part of the legislative logjam that accompanies such a fractured House. Hopefully, however, Mr. Harper's anti-drug-driving measures will be judged on their merits, and not get bogged down in excessive partisan wrangling. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek