Pubdate: Thu, 06 Oct 2016
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Liz Monteiro
Page: B1

DRUG RECOGNITION OFFICERS TRAINED TO CATCH MOTORISTS DRIVING WHILE HIGH

WATERLOO REGION - Of the 26 charges laid last year for driving while
high on drugs, one driver had 17 different drugs in his system.

"The driver was severely addicted," said Const. William Hand,
co-ordinator of the drug cognition expert program with Waterloo
Regional Police, which has nine officers trained as specialists in
recognizing the signs of those driving high.

The drug of choice that drug recognition officers see most is opiates
such as oxycodone, heroin and methadone.

Waterloo Regional Police have also stopped drivers on stimulants such
as cocaine, meth and crack.

Next on the list were drivers high on marijuana.

Other drugs that police have found include prescribed medication such
as Valium, Prozac, Alazopram and Zanax.

Although the majority of impaired driving is still caused by alcohol,
police say they are seeing more drivers impaired by drugs.

Last year, police laid 488 impaired driving charges by alcohol and
drugs with five per cent of those charges related solely to drugs.

On Sunday, new provincial rules took effect similar to ones already
faced by drunk drivers. Now, those driving impaired by drugs will face
licence suspensions.

The first offence is a three-day suspension and seven days for the
second occurrence. A third offence leads to a 30-day suspension after
failing a roadside test.

Locally, police say they have been proactive about recognizing the
signs of motorists driving while impaired by drugs.

About six years ago, training began for front-line officers to help
them recognize some symptoms of motorists who are high while driving.

The signs are part of the "standard field sobriety testing," Hand
said.

The signs include sweating profusely, quick movements and "talking a
mile a minute," Hand said.

When an officer suspects impairment, a drug recognition officer is
called and the driver is taken to a police detachment where further
tests are conducted such as taking one's pulse, measuring blood
pressure and observing pupil dilation in a dark room.

A urine or blood sample can also be demanded at a local
hospital.

In 2015, police conducted 41 tests, 12 were ruled out for either
medical reasons or insufficient drug impairment.

Unlike the breathalyzer - equipment used to detect whether a motorist
is driving drunk - there is no instrument for detecting whether
drivers are high.

But it could be coming soon, Hand said, referring to swab analysis
that could be done at the roadside. The RCMP is currently working on
devices that could assist in roadside testing of drivers impaired by
drugs.
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MAP posted-by: Matt