During the Summer of 2000 I was extremely fortunate to have participated in the two week Drug Recognition Expert training program sponsored by the New Hampshire State Police.

Background

Some Indicators

Value of the Program

DRE Trainees - Video

BACKGROUND

The Drug Recognition Expert program was initially developed by personnel of the Los Angeles Police Department. The initial impetus for the program stemmed from the frequent encounters by experienced traffic enforcement officers with drivers who were clearly impaired but whose Blood Alcohol Level was very low or zero. The logical suspicion was that these drivers were under the influence of drugs other than alcohol. However, obtaining evidence to back up that suspicion was not easy. As a result, many drivers who were clearly impaired - placing the general public and themselves at risk for injury and death - were not prosecuted.

Two LAPD Sergeants, Dick Stoddard and Len Leeds, along with many other professionals developed the DRE program. This evaluation process is a standardized and systematice method of examining a suspect to determine:
- whether the suspect is impaired
- whether the impairment relates to drugs or perhaps a medical condition
- the category or combination of categories of drugs that are likely the cause of the impairment.

A Drug Recognition Expert (duly authorized and trained law enforcement officer) reaches a conclusion based on the totality of facts that emerge during an evaluation. These facts are obtained from careful observations of:
- behavior
- appearance
- performance of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests
- eyes
- vital signs
- any other evidence

SOME INDICATORS OF DRUG USE

There are a number of indicators that will determine the type of drug some one is using. Here are just some of the specific indicators used in the DRE evaluation:

EYES:
Horizontal Gaze Nystagnus (HGN):
W hen under the influence of a Depressant, Inhalant, or PCP a person will usually experience HGN which is a flickering or bouncing of the eyes as they move from side to side. This is one of the signs a police officer checks for when having a suspect follow a pen/finger as it moves back and forth in front of the suspect.

Vertical Gaze Nystagmus (VGN):
A person experiencing HGN will usually experince VGN depending upon the type and dosage of the drug. VGN is observed when the suspect moves his/her eyes upwards.

Pupil Size:
Some drugs have no impact at all on pupil size while other's will cause pupil dilation. Narcotic Analgesics (Morphine, Heroin, Oxyconton, etc) are the only drugs that will constrict the pupils.

VITAL SIGNS:
Blood Pressure and Pulse:
Depending upon the type of drug, a suspect's Blood Pressure may be raised or lowered. Pulse rate can be excessivley fast or slow.

Temperature:
Various drugs will also cause abnormalities in body temperature.

VALUE OF THE PROGRAM

The value of this program cannot be overstated. Besides dangerous drivers that are under the influence of alcohol, other dangerous drivers that are under the influence of drugs other than alcohol (including marijuana and prescription drugs) can now be removed from the road. Additionally,using evidence collected during the DRE evaluation, they can be prosecuted for endagering the general public and themselves.