Pubdate: Fri, 12 Dec 2014
Source: Truro Daily News (CN NS)
Copyright: 2014 The Daily News
Contact:  http://www.trurodaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1159
Author: Raissa Tetanish
Page: 3

TRURO POLICE OFFICERS TRAINED AS DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERTS

'We recognize that this is a major concern and having this training
will help us make the roads that much safer'

TRURO - It's an additional tool that they can keep in their arsenal of
things, and it was something the force has needed.

Two constables - Justin Russell and Robert John Hunka - are the two
newest drug recognition experts with the Truro Police Service, a
service that the force has needed for some time now.

"I've had an interest in impaired driving and this is just another
avenue that we could be involved with in the detection of impaired
driving," said Russell about why he wanted to spend three weeks in
Phoenix taking the training course. "There are 70,000 police officers
in Canada and only 600 with this training. It was a large undertaking
to go away for the course but it gives us another thing we can do, to
be able to conduct this test."

It was Hunka's involvement with the drug unit, as well as his current
involvement with the local MADD chapter, that brought about his desire
for the training.

"We recognize that this is a major concern and having this training
will help us make the roads that much safer," he said.

Since returning as drug recognition experts, the force has already had
one successful charge on a male.

"I was able to determine his ability to operate his motor vehicle was
impaired by alcohol and cannabis," said Hunka.

When it comes to impaired driving by drug, it falls under the same
Criminal Code section as if the motorist was under the influence of
alcohol. Refusing a drug test would be the same charge as refusing a
test regarding alcohol. Many of the signs of impaired by drug are the
same, including weaving on the road, and delayed and or no braking.

The officers said there are seven different drug categories tested
for.

"Seventy per cent of drivers are using more than one drug, whether
it's alcohol, cannabis or other stimulants," said Hunka.

During a drug test, there are 12 steps to be evaluated, which can
include things such as blood pressure, pulse rate and muscle
dexterity. They also use a pupillometer on a suspected impaired
driver's eyes in a dark room.

Although they both have training, neither officer knows just how often
it will be needed.

"We don't really have an idea," said Russell, who is also the force's
K- 9 officer. "It could be like my K- 9 work - you can be busy for a
while, and then not have a single call. It's really hit or miss so we
can't really determine that."

"We hope to think it would be never," Hunka added. "But the reality is
that it could be daily or a weekly basis."

The drug recognition experts said many people don't realize that even
if they are taking prescription drugs on their doctor's advice, it
could still impair them to the point where they can't drive.

"You can be impaired by your own prescriptions. People should take the
time to speak with their pharmacist to see if they can still drive,"
said Hunka.
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