Pubdate: Sat, 28 Jun 2014
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Danielle Bell
Page: 6

DRUGS PASS BOOZE BEHIND THE WHEEL

Move over drunk driving.

Drugged driving is now surpassing alcohol when it comes to people
impaired behind the wheel, say police.

"The prevalence of people under the influence of drugs is higher than
people with alcohol," said Sgt. Evan Graham, with the Ottawa-based
RCMP Traffic Services Drug Recognition Expert program. "Prescriptions
are rising every year. With the current attitude toward marijuana,
it's not surprising the numbers are out there."

It's not just a younger crowd smoking a joint and getting behind the
wheel.

While drugged driving runs the gamut, older drivers under the
influence of prescription drugs, some unknowingly, is also common.

An RCMP awareness campaign has detachments across the country working
to crack down on impaired driving, with check-stops kicking off Friday
night as part of national enforcement day.

There is a specific focus on drivers impaired by alcohol, as police
try to curb a growing trend.

There are more than 600 DRE's across the country, and the RCMP is
looking at training more officers.

The charges and penalties are the same whether a driver is high on
booze or barbituates, yet drugged driving cases are not prosecuted the
same as an alcohol-impaired driver, say police, which can make it
challenging.

With alcohol-related cases, a device commonly referred to as a
breathalyser can be used; with drug-induced driving "it's very
subjective," said Graham.

To help meet the challenges that faces, RCMP are working with the
Canadian Society of Forensic Science and Ontario Ministry of
Transportation to test a detection device that would use oral fluid,
such as saliva, to detect drugs. That testing, which is so far not
being done on the public, will continue until March 2015.

Several roadside studies have suggested drugged driving is more
common.

Depressants and opiates, such as popular painkiller Oxycodone, are
seen on the roads.

Officers first rule out a medical problem as part of their evaluation,
which includes noticing symptoms like blood pressure, pulse and pupil
size.

Police can also make a request for urine or blood samples.

Part of DRE training involves officers going to U.S. jails, where a
high volume rotation of prisoners pass through, many high and on drugs.

On Friday, police also used social media to reach out to arguably a
younger crowd, most likely to smoke a joint and get behind the wheel,
through a Twitter chat.
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