Introduction to the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program

Transcription

1 Introduction to the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program Presented by: Detective Peter Sweet Cumberland Police Department Drug Recognition Expert Instructor April 12, 2017

2 About me Police Officer with the Cumberland, RI Police Department for 9 years Currently assigned as a Detective Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) for 6 years DRE Instructor and an SFST Instructor for 5 years Instructed and presented the DRE program in 4 States and several hundred DRE Candidates Honor and privilege to presented at several Schools and Conferences

3 Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) Developed by officers from LAPD in the 1970 s Gained the attention of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the 1980 s Today, all 50 states, the District of Columbia as well as Canada and the United Kingdom utilize the same DRE protocol The Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program is managed and coordinated by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) with support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Courses include: Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) School and Drug Impairment Training for Education Professionals (DITEP)

4 Drug Recognition Expert A Drug Recognition Expert or D.R.E, is a Law Enforcement officer who has been specially trained and certified to evaluate if a person is impaired and to determine the category of drug or drugs that may be impairing that person Standardized and systematic 12-step evaluation process

5 Drug Recognition Expert (DRE School) Phase I & II- DRE Pre-School and DRE 7 Day School Approximately 72 Hours of Class room Instruction including: - Covering topics that including: drug categories, human physiology, examination of the eyes, taking vital signs and various other topics - Students must demonstrate proficiency in conducting the SFST protocol - Must maintain an 80 average throughout 5 quizzes, obtain an 80 or above on a mid-course exam and obtain an 80 or above on the final exam Phase III- Field Certification DRE Candidates who successfully complete the classroom portion, move on to the Field Certification Training -Field training includes evaluating subjects and correctly identifying impairment and documenting their results -Completing a comprehensive final exam

6 The Role of a D.R.E The role of a DRE is to either confirm the person is (or was) impaired at the time they were operating a vehicle or to determine if the person was suffering from a medical condition The determination is done by way of a standardized 12-step protocol referred to as the Drug Influence Evaluation

7 The 12-Step Drug Influence Evaluation 1. Breath Alcohol Test 2. Interview of Arresting Officer 3. Preliminary Examination 4. Examination of Eyes 5. Divided Attention Tests 6. Examination of Vital Signs 7. Dark Room Examinations 8. Examination of Muscle Tone 9. Examination for Injection 10. Suspect s statements 11. Opinion of Evaluator 12. Toxicological Results

8 Critical Steps: 1,2 & 3 Step 1- Breath Alcohol Test Is the subject impaired by alcohol Step 2- Interview of the Arresting Officer What are the facts circumstances that led to the DRE being called in Step 3- Is the person impaired or is it a medical condition

9 Step s 4 & 5 Step 4: Eye Exams Pupil Size Measurement Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Vertical Gaze Nystagmus (VGN) Lack Of Convergence Step 5: Divided Attention Tests Modified Romberg Balance Test 9 Step Walk & Turn One Leg Stand (Conducted twice) Finger to Nose Test

10 Step s 6 & 7 Step 6: Vital Signs Pulse (three times through out) Blood Pressure Body Temperature Step 7: Dark Room Exams Measuring Pupil Size in near total darkness and in direct light Reaction to light Oral & Nasal Cavity Exam

11 Steps 8, 9 & 10: Step 8: Examination of Muscle Tone Muscle Rigidity, Flaccidity or normal muscle tone Step 9: Examination for Injection Sites Signs of intravenous injection Step 10: Suspect s Statements Asked about drug use

12 Opinion of Evaluator Toxicology Results Step 11 & 12:

13 DECP: The 7 Drug Categories Central Nervous System Depressants Central Nervous System Stimulants Hallucinogens Dissociative Anesthetics Narcotic Analgesics Inhalants Cannabis *DECP: Drugs are classified by the clinical indicators that are likely to be observed Drug is defined as: any substance that, when taken into the human body, can impair the ability of the person to operate a vehicle safely

14 Why is the DRE Program Vital Education Educating BOTH Officers and the Public Enforcement Failure to act is a failure to serve Current Trends Marijuana moves closer to legalization and greater social acceptance Nationally and locally, prescription drugs and pain killers leading to addiction

15 Questions Questions???

16 Contact Info. Det. Peter Sweet Cumberland Police Department Cumberland, RI Work: ext 3038