Pubdate: Sat, 22 Jul 2017
Source: Guardian, The (CN PI)
Copyright: 2017 The Guardian, Charlottetown Guardian Group Incorporated
Contact:  http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/174
Author: Dave Stewart
Page: A3

CHALLENGE LIES AHEAD

MADD manager says legalization of marijuana is going to create
significant issues

Police need more powers to battle impaired drivers, says Susan
MacAskill.

The regional manager of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) says the
legalization of marijuana next year is going to create a whole new
challenge for law enforcement, and governments need to act soon.

"Our federal government needs to have legislative framework in place
and our provincial governments need to have legalization under the
Motor Vehicle Act that gives police the powers to lay those drug
impaired charges because a breathalyzer will not detect drugs,''
MacAskill said.

She said police need an approved instrument and MADD Canada has made a
recommendation.

"Drugs can be (tested) through saliva and it can be done at roadside
and it can be just as efficient as a breathalyzer evaluation.''

However, she said there are only 800 trained drug recognition experts
across Canada at the moment.

It's not cheap to create train more.

MacAskill said it costs $17,000 to train one person to be a drug
recognition expert.

Still, MADD Canada is pushing the attorney general and justice
minister.

"If every officer can have that (disposable saliva test) in their
vehicle it will certainly have a positive impact on road safety.''
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MAP posted-by: Matt