Pubdate: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 Source: Cape Breton Post (CN NS) Copyright: 2009 Cape Breton Post Contact: http://www.capebretonpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/777 Author: Chris Hayes Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/Drug+Recognition+Experts Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) POLICE FORCES TRAINING OFFICERS AS DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERTS SYDNEY - Drivers high on drugs won't get a free ride in Cape Breton, where police forces are training officers as drug recognition experts and taking advantage of new enabling legislation. RCMP Const. Scott MacKenzie said he and other drug recognition experts are qualified to conduct psychomotor and clinical tests on drivers which will reveal the presence of cannabis, narcotics and other types of drugs. "In my opinion, there's a lot more drug-impaired driving than there is alcohol-impaired driving," said MacKenzie, a traffic officer based in North Sydney who has been trained for two years. The Nova Scotia government has passed enabling legislation that since July 2 has empowered police officers to demand that a driver suspected of being impaired submit to an evaluation by a drug recognition expert, explained provincial co-ordinator Scott Macdonald, a Halifax Regional Police officer. Police can also demand a urine, blood or saliva test. Drivers can face charges of impaired driving or refusing to comply. Two officers in the Cape Breton Regional Police Service are also training to be certified as drug recognition experts. Traffic Sgt. Doug Lawrence predicted the two officers being trained - Const. Shane MacKenzie and Phillip Ross - will be joined by others in the coming years. Like other areas, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality has a problem with drivers impaired by drugs, Lawrence said. Drivers may fear the breathalyser, which police use to measure alcohol in the bloodstream, but believe they can take drugs with impunity, he suggested. "People are saying why drink? I can go and smoke some weed and do some coke and go for a drive. "And their mind is impaired." Shane MacKenzie said he expects to finish his training in March. Drivers should take advantage of the alternatives available to operating a motor vehicle while impaired, he stressed. "Impaired driving creates a very dangerous situation," he said. "People are taking a chance when they do it." Drug impairment has been a factor in tragic traffic accidents, he noted. Police in Nova Scotia have laid about 25 impaired by drug charges since July 2, Macdonald said. 'We are only behind Ontario in the number of charges we have laid," he said. "And that's because everybody in the province has really bought into this and we have people trained." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom