Pubdate: Fri, 01 Dec 2006 Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB) Copyright: 2006 The Edmonton Journal Contact: http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134 Author: Trish Audette, The Edmonton Journal DRIVERS ON DRUGS NOW FACE 10 'EXPERTS' Officers Trained to Identify Impairment EDMONTON - Ten Edmonton police officers will be named "drug recognition experts" after this weekend, when they wrap up two weeks of training aimed at getting high drivers off the roads. "It's been against the law since the 1920s to drive under the influence of drugs," said RCMP Cpl. Evan Graham, who co-ordinates the national drug evaluation classification program. But the federal government's bill this month to crack down on impaired drivers puts more emphasis on the skills officers need to take drug-impaired drivers off the road. The bill, not yet passed, gives more teeth to laws against impaired driving, by increasing the fine for a first offence from $600 to $1,000, and requires drivers suspected of being high to perform physical tests at the side of the road, like walking in a straight line. If drivers fail the basic tests, they would be forced to surrender blood, saliva or urine samples at the police station. Since 2003, Graham and his team of seven experts from several police jurisdictions have been travelling across the country to train officers. So far, 237 Canadian officers are ready to check for drug impairment. Twenty-two Alberta officers -- 10 from the Edmonton Police Service and the rest from RCMP detachments, and the Lethbridge and Medicine Hat police services -- will soon join their ranks. This is the first time the training program, including 10 days of classroom instruction and one day of field training, has come to Alberta. The Calgary Police Service did not take part, Graham said. "When the legislation passes, we expect every police force in the country will be participating." When pulling over drivers suspected of driving under the influence of illegal, prescription or over-the-counter drugs, trained officers will be equipped with small flashlights, thermometers and a handful of other medical equipment to look for unusual pupil dilation, muscle tone, blood pressure, pulse or temperature. "The whole evaluation is subjective, but there are things we're looking for," he said. Edmonton Crown prosecutor Robert Palser noted drivers on drugs are charged and prosecuted now. Being able to test body fluids for drug use will be another tool to support prosecution, he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine