Pubdate: Thu, 28 Dec 2006
Source: Intelligencer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.intelligencer.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2332

DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVING ANOTHER DEADLY MIX

Drug-impaired driving is on the rise, both across Canada and in 
Belleville - a disturbing and unacceptable trend that's putting 
others on our roads at greater risk of injury and death.

A study by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse shows driving under 
the influence of marijuana and hashish has more than doubled since 
1989. The survey also indicates young males are driving under the 
influence of cannabis as often as, or more often than, they drive 
under the influence of alcohol.

Although there are no local stats, Belleville police Insp. Merle 
Foster says the number of local people driving while under the 
influence of marijuana has increased over the past few years. The 
problem is, officers don't have the tools when it comes to proving a 
driver is high.

It is encouraging, however, that the government has recognized the 
seriousness of the issue.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper introduced legislation in the fall to 
amend the Criminal Code to crack down on stoned drivers with heavier 
fines and jail terms.

Under the new bill, the minimum fine for a first offence of either 
drug-or alcohol-impaired driving would be $1,000 rather than the 
current $600. A second offence would bring a mandatory 30 days in 
jail rather than 14, a third offence 120 days rather than 90.

In the worst cases, the maximum sentence would be life in prison for 
impaired driving causing death and 10 years for causing bodily harm.

The changes will also give police new powers to apprehend and test 
drivers suspected of being impaired by drugs, increase penalties, 
make it harder to challenge breathalyzer tests in court and promote 
awareness of the problem.

This is a good start to give police the type of power they have been 
asking for for years. But, as we noted above, these changes won't 
help police to apprehend offending drivers.

Currently, the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) evaluation, which is 
used in the United States at a more than 90 per cent effectiveness 
rate, can only be administered by police in Canada if the driver 
volunteers, which is ridiculous.

While the test is not scientific - officers are trained to recognize 
symptoms of a particular drug - it is currently the best way police 
have to nab offenders.

The government must put legislation in place to let police administer 
the test when they observe some of the tell-tale signs of drug use - 
everything from erratic driving to odours emanating from the vehicle 
to the driver's behaviour or appearance - and not leave it up to 
drivers to volunteer to take part.

Meantime, more must be done to discover a fail-safe scientific test 
for police to administer - just as a breathalyzer currently works for 
measuring the level of alcohol in a person's blood.

Furthermore, the senior levels of government must invest more money 
in education. Because the younger generation is the biggest offender, 
it is important to reach youth with the message before they are old 
enough to drive.

Schools, to their credit, already have programs such as VIP and DARE 
which warn youngsters about the dangers of drinking and drugs, but 
more focus should be placed on drug-impaired driving.

The message also should be reinforced during driver's training - 
before teens get out on the roads - that using drugs before getting 
behind the wheel is just as socially unacceptable and just as 
dangerous as driving drunk.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine