Pubdate: Wed, 22 Oct 2008
Source: King Township Sentinel, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 King Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.kingsentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4369
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Drug+Recognition (Drug 
Recognition Expert)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

YORK POLICE HAVE LAID 90 CHARGES FOR BEING IMPAIRED BY DRUGS

Since July, federal legislation allows police to demand blood or 
urine samples from drivers they suspect are impaired by drugs, and 
lay charges if they don't comply.

York Regional Police have been piling up the numbers in that regard.

They have been a Canadian leader in the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) 
Program and since its start in 2004, officers have laid more than 90 
charges for drug-related impaired driving.

York's was the first police service in Ontario to train officers as 
DREs and currently has 24 of them, five of whom are qualified DRE instructors.

In addition, Sergeant Rob Martin is currently seconded to the Royal 
Canadian Mounted Police, acting as the Ontario coordinator for the 
DRE program, training officers from police services across the 
province in identifying drug-related impairment.

Since the DRE program began, trained officers have conducted more 
than 130 drug evaluations on motorists and laid 90 impaired operation 
by drug charges.

Motorists are reminded that while the RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving 
Everywhere) program is enhanced for long weekends and holidays, it 
runs yearround in York.

In addition, police report citizens continue to be strong allies in 
the fight against impaired driving since the launch of the Safe Roads 
. . . Your Call in June, 2007, urging residents to call 9-1-1 
immediately if they see a suspected impaired driver.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom