The 2013-2014 National Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers.
(About 30,000 drivers were asked to provide an oral fluid or blood sample.) -
ANSWER Around 20% of drivers tested positive for at least one drug. Over
15% of drivers tested positive for at least one illegal drug.
Facts of the DECP (Drug Evaluation and Classification Program) 1/4 -
ANSWER The program started in the early 1970s in response to a growing
awareness of impaired drivers under the influence of drugs. The DECP had
started with Sergeant Dick Studdardtraffic officer and Len Leeds-narcotics
officer
Facts of the DECP (Drug Evaluation and Classification Program) (2/4) -
ANSWER In 1979 the program was officially recognized by LAPD. By the
early 1980 NHTSA completed its validation of the SFSTs and began assisting
the LAPD in validating the DRE program.
Facts of the DECP (Drug Evaluation and Classification Program) (3/4) -
ANSWER The DRE three-part determination: 1. It determines the subject is
impaired and confirms the alcohol level is not consistent with the degree of
impairment that is apparent. 2. Uses simple assessment techniques to decide
whether the impairment could be from illness or injury, needing medical
attention. 3. Finally, it utilizes evaluation procedures to determine which
category, or categories, of drugs is the likely cause of the impairment.
Facts of the DECP (Drug Evaluation and Classification Program) (4/4) -
ANSWER Five reasons for a standardized procedure: 1. To be able to articulate
,suspicion of drug influence. 2. To use DRE's observation and expertise if the
subject refuses testing. 3. To assist in making a determination whether a drug is
psychoactive or not. 4. To assist laboratory technicians with narrowing down to
a specific class of drugs to help reduce testing costs. 5. A DRE can finally help
determine whether impairment is due to medical problems.
John Hopkins Study (Laboratory Validation Study which was conducted in
1984 at John Hopkins University in Maryland) 1/2 - ANSWER Some of the
LAPD participants included Dick Studdard, Jerry Powell, Pat Russell, and Doug
Laird. Volunteers each took a "pill" and smoked a "cigarette." The "pill"
contained either: a placebo, Secobarbital, Valium, or damphetamine. The
"cigarette" contained either: a placebo or THC.
John Hopkins Study (Laboratory Validation Study which was conducted in
1984 at John Hopkins University in Maryland) 2/2 - ANSWER The DREs
classified 95% of the drug free subjects as "not impaired." They classified
98.7% of the subjects who received "strong" doses. They correctly identified the
category of drug for 91.7% of the "strong" dose cases.
Los Angeles Field Validation Study It was conducted in 1985 and involved 173
subjects who had been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of
drugs. - ANSWER This study utilized 28 DREs from LAPD and the L.A. area.
In excess of 92.5% for the subject's positive test from their blood verified at
least one category "predicted" by the DREs.
Oregon State v. O'Key (1995) - HGN Test admissible - ANSWER Holding:
the results of HGN test are scientific in nature, admissibility subject to a
foundation showing that officer administering the test was properly qualified,
the test being administered properly and the test results were recorded
accurately.
, Information about the Drug Evaluation and Classification Process (1/2) -
ANSWER The DEC is a systematic and standardized method of examining a
subject to determine if the subject is impaired, if impaired, is the impairment a
result of injury, illness, or is it drug related, and if it is drug related, what
category (or categories) of drugs is (or are) the likely cause of the subject's
impairment?
Information about the Drug Evaluation and Classification Process 2/2-
ANSWER Based on a variety of observable signs and symptoms that are known
to be reliable indicators of drug impairment: subject's appearance, subject's
behaviour, and performance of carefully administered psychophysical tests.
Drug Influence Evaluation Steps - ANSWER 1. Breath alcohol test
2. The interview of the arresting officer
3. Preliminary examination
4. Examinations of the eyes
5. Divided attention tests
6. Videotaping of vital signs
7. Dimly lit room examinations
8. Checking of muscle tone
9. Injection marks check
10. Statements made by the subject and other observations
11. Opinion of Evaluator
12. Toxicological examination
Drug Influence Evaluation Step 1 - ANSWER Breath alcohol test: The
purpose of the breath test is to determine if the specific drug, in this case
alcohol, can be the cause of impairment in a subject.
(About 30,000 drivers were asked to provide an oral fluid or blood sample.) -
ANSWER Around 20% of drivers tested positive for at least one drug. Over
15% of drivers tested positive for at least one illegal drug.
Facts of the DECP (Drug Evaluation and Classification Program) 1/4 -
ANSWER The program started in the early 1970s in response to a growing
awareness of impaired drivers under the influence of drugs. The DECP had
started with Sergeant Dick Studdardtraffic officer and Len Leeds-narcotics
officer
Facts of the DECP (Drug Evaluation and Classification Program) (2/4) -
ANSWER In 1979 the program was officially recognized by LAPD. By the
early 1980 NHTSA completed its validation of the SFSTs and began assisting
the LAPD in validating the DRE program.
Facts of the DECP (Drug Evaluation and Classification Program) (3/4) -
ANSWER The DRE three-part determination: 1. It determines the subject is
impaired and confirms the alcohol level is not consistent with the degree of
impairment that is apparent. 2. Uses simple assessment techniques to decide
whether the impairment could be from illness or injury, needing medical
attention. 3. Finally, it utilizes evaluation procedures to determine which
category, or categories, of drugs is the likely cause of the impairment.
Facts of the DECP (Drug Evaluation and Classification Program) (4/4) -
ANSWER Five reasons for a standardized procedure: 1. To be able to articulate
,suspicion of drug influence. 2. To use DRE's observation and expertise if the
subject refuses testing. 3. To assist in making a determination whether a drug is
psychoactive or not. 4. To assist laboratory technicians with narrowing down to
a specific class of drugs to help reduce testing costs. 5. A DRE can finally help
determine whether impairment is due to medical problems.
John Hopkins Study (Laboratory Validation Study which was conducted in
1984 at John Hopkins University in Maryland) 1/2 - ANSWER Some of the
LAPD participants included Dick Studdard, Jerry Powell, Pat Russell, and Doug
Laird. Volunteers each took a "pill" and smoked a "cigarette." The "pill"
contained either: a placebo, Secobarbital, Valium, or damphetamine. The
"cigarette" contained either: a placebo or THC.
John Hopkins Study (Laboratory Validation Study which was conducted in
1984 at John Hopkins University in Maryland) 2/2 - ANSWER The DREs
classified 95% of the drug free subjects as "not impaired." They classified
98.7% of the subjects who received "strong" doses. They correctly identified the
category of drug for 91.7% of the "strong" dose cases.
Los Angeles Field Validation Study It was conducted in 1985 and involved 173
subjects who had been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of
drugs. - ANSWER This study utilized 28 DREs from LAPD and the L.A. area.
In excess of 92.5% for the subject's positive test from their blood verified at
least one category "predicted" by the DREs.
Oregon State v. O'Key (1995) - HGN Test admissible - ANSWER Holding:
the results of HGN test are scientific in nature, admissibility subject to a
foundation showing that officer administering the test was properly qualified,
the test being administered properly and the test results were recorded
accurately.
, Information about the Drug Evaluation and Classification Process (1/2) -
ANSWER The DEC is a systematic and standardized method of examining a
subject to determine if the subject is impaired, if impaired, is the impairment a
result of injury, illness, or is it drug related, and if it is drug related, what
category (or categories) of drugs is (or are) the likely cause of the subject's
impairment?
Information about the Drug Evaluation and Classification Process 2/2-
ANSWER Based on a variety of observable signs and symptoms that are known
to be reliable indicators of drug impairment: subject's appearance, subject's
behaviour, and performance of carefully administered psychophysical tests.
Drug Influence Evaluation Steps - ANSWER 1. Breath alcohol test
2. The interview of the arresting officer
3. Preliminary examination
4. Examinations of the eyes
5. Divided attention tests
6. Videotaping of vital signs
7. Dimly lit room examinations
8. Checking of muscle tone
9. Injection marks check
10. Statements made by the subject and other observations
11. Opinion of Evaluator
12. Toxicological examination
Drug Influence Evaluation Step 1 - ANSWER Breath alcohol test: The
purpose of the breath test is to determine if the specific drug, in this case
alcohol, can be the cause of impairment in a subject.
