Evaluation of the field certification process for drug recognition experts (DREs)

In areas of the United States where drug use is wide-spread, traffic enforcement officers frequently encounter drivers under the influence of drugs. These drivers often show signs of impairment similar to those associated with alcohol, but have a low or zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). In the past, although the impairment caused by drug use may have been apparent, without training in drug recognition, police officers were often not able to make an arrest which could be successfully prosecuted. During the 1970s, the Los Angeles Police Depart­ ment pioneered an effort to evaluate persons for drug use. A systematic evaluation was developed which allowed the officers to make a judgement of drug impairment and the drug category involved based on physical and be­ havioral signs. With the results of this evaluation, the officer could establish probable cause to justify requiring a blood or urine sample from the suspect for toxicological analysis.