What is a DRE. Introduction to Drugged Driving

Transcription

1 Introduction to Drugged Driving What is a DRE DRE Training & Certification For a list of classes scheduled in 2016, click here. The DEC Program trains police officers and other approved public safety officials as drug recognition experts (DREs) through a threephase training process: Drug Recognition Expert Pre School (16 hours) 0-2 Session 2 Detection and General Deterrence Drug Recognition Expert DRE School (56 hours) Drug Recognition Expert Field Certification (Approximately hrs) The training relies heavily on the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST s), which provide the foundation for the DEC Program. Once trained and certified, DREs become highly effective officers skilled in the detection and identification of persons impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. DREs are trained to conduct a systematic and standardized 12-step evaluation consisting of physical, mental and medical components. Because of the complexity and technical aspects of the DRE training, not all police officers may be suited for the training. Experience has shown that training a well-defined group of officers proficient in impaired driving enforcement works well and can be very effective. The DRE classroom training is designed to assist the student achieve three broad goals and eight specific learning objectives

2 Session 2 Detection and General Deterrence Goals: Determine if an individual is under the influence of a drug or drugs other than alcohol, or the combined influence of alcohol and other drugs, or suffering from some injury or illness that produces similar signs to alcohol/drug impairment; Identify the broad category or categories of drugs inducing the observable signs and symptoms of impairment; and Progress to the Field Certification Phase of the training. Objectives: Be able to describe the involvement of drugs in impaired driving incidents; Name the seven drug categories and recognize their effects; Describe and properly administer the psychophysical and physiological evaluations used in the drug evaluation and classification procedures; Prepare a narrative drug influence evaluation report; Discuss appropriate procedures for testifying in typical drug evaluation and classification cases, and; Maintain an up-to-date DRE curriculum vitae 2-4 Learning Objectives Define the term drug in the context of DWI enforcement Describe the incidence of drug involvement in motor vehicle crashes and DWI enforcement Name the categories of drugs 0-5 Learning Objectives (Cont.) Describe the observable signs of impairment usually associated with the major drug categories Describe medical conditions and other situations that can produce similar signs of impairment Describe appropriate procedures for dealing with drug impaired or medically impaired suspects 0-6 2

3 Session Purpose Improve your ability to recognize suspects who may be medically impaired or impaired by drugs other than alcohol and, when you encounter such suspects, take appropriate action 0-7 What is a Drug? Working Definition of Drug: Any substance that, when taken into the human body, can impair the ability of the person to operate a vehicle safely 0-8 How Many People Use Drugs? Because many drugs are illegally manufactured, sold and consumed, it is difficult to determine how many people actually use the various drugs All available information shows that drug use and abuse are widespread among large segments of the American public 0-9 3

4 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings 8.7% of the population aged 12 years or older were current illicit drug users Marijuana continues to be the most commonly used illicit drug 6.7 million people were users of psychotherapeutic drugs taken non medically Estimated 1.4 million persons were current Cocaine users 0-10 Facts University of Tennessee found 40% of crash injured drivers had drugs other than alcohol in them The Maryland Shock Trauma Center found nearly one third of crash injured drivers had recently used marijuana 0-11 Eye Examinations: Detecting Signs of Drug Influence

5 Eye Examinations Overview The eye examinations that you can conduct to assess possible drug or medical impairment include: Resting nystagmus Tracking ability Pupil size Horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) Vertical gaze nystagmus (VGN) 0-13 Eye Examinations Overview (Cont.) Tracking ability will be affected by certain categories of drugs, and also by certain medical conditions or pathological disorders 0-14 Pupil Size Pupil size will be affected by several categories of drugs, and also by some medical conditions or injuries. Drugs causing pupil dilation: CNS stimulants Hallucinogens Cannabis (Marijuana)

6 Pupil Size (Cont.) If the pupils are noticeably constricted then the possibility exists that the subject could be impaired by a narcotic analgesic Pain meds Heroin Methadone 0-16 Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) The Test of Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) for subjects is identical to the HGN test for alcohol impaired subjects. First Clue: lack of smooth pursuit Second clue: distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation Third clue: onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees 0-17 PCP May Cause Immediate Onset of Nystagmus The angle of onset becomes of special interest when a subject is under the influence of a Dissociative Anesthetic such as PCP

7 Vertical Nystagmus High amount of an alcoholic beverage for that particular individual 0-19 Drug Categories and Their Observable Effects Central Nervous System Depressants Central Nervous System Stimulants Hallucinogens Dissociative Anesthetics Narcotic Analgesics Inhalants Cannabis 0-20 Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Alcohol Barbiturates (Secobarbital) Non barbiturates (GHB/Soma) Anti Anxiety Tranquilizers(Valium/Xanax) Anti Depressants (Prozac/Elavil) Muscle relaxants

8 Indicators of CNS Depressant Influence Drunken behavior Drowsy Sluggish Disoriented Uncoordinated Thick, slurred speech Alcohol is a Drug 0-22 Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulants Cocaine Amphetamines Methamphetamine AHHD Adderall 0-23 Indicators of CNS Stimulant Influence People under the influence of CNS Stimulants tend to be hyperactive, indicated by nervousness, extreme talkativeness and an inability to sit still They also are usually unable to concentrate, or to think clearly for any length of time

9 Peyote LSD MDMA (Ecstasy) Hallucinogens 0-25 Indicators of Hallucinogen Influence Hallucinations Dazed appearance Body tremors Uncoordinated Perspiring Disorientation Paranoia Difficulty in speech Nausea Piloerection (goose bumps) 0-26 Dissociative Anesthetics Phencyclidine (PCP) Ketamine Dextromethorphan (DMX) Cough med

10 Indicators of Dissociative Anesthetic Influence Warm to the touch Perspiring Blank stare Repetitive speech Incomplete verbal responses Confused Muscle rigidity Possibly violent & combative Removal of clothes 0-28 Narcotic Analgesics Heroin Morphine Codeine Synthetic Opiates (e.g., Demerol, Methadone, Fentanyl) PAIN MEDS ONLY DRUGS THAT CONSTRICTS PUPILS 0-29 Tolerance An important characteristic of narcotic analgesics is that users develop tolerance to them Tolerance means that the same dose of the drug will produce diminishing effects, or that a steadily larger dose is needed to produce the same effects

11 Indicators of Narcotic Analgesic Influence On the nod Falling Asleep Droopy eyelids Ptosis Depressed reflexes Dry mouth Facial itching Low, slow raspy speech Fresh puncture marks may be evident 0-31 Glue Paint Gasoline Aerosol sprays Nitrous Oxide Ether Amyl Nitrate Inhalants 0-32 Indicators of Inhalant Influence Disorientation Slurred speech Residue of substance on face, hands, clothing Confusion Possible nausea

12 Marijuana Hashish Hash oil Cannabis 1-34 Indicators of Cannabis Influence Marked reddening of the Conjunctiva (white part of the eyeball) Body tremors Odor of marijuana Disoriented Relaxed inhibitions Difficulty in dividing attention W&T, OLS, counting to a certain number 0-35 Combinations of Drugs Poly derives from the Greek word for "many" In the Los Angeles Field Study (1985), 81 of the 173 suspects (47%) in the Los Angeles Field Study had alcohol in combination with one or more other drugs

13 Common Combinations of Drugs Alcohol and some other drug prescription PCP and Cannabis Dipping Blunt Cocaine and Heroin Upper VS Downer 0-37 Possible Effects of Drug Combinations Null Overlapping Additive Antagonistic 0-38 Dealing With Suspected Drug Influence or Medical Impairment Diabetic/Epileptic

14 Questions? 0-40 Session 2 Detection and General Deterrence 2-41 Session 2 Detection and General Deterrence