Drug Recognition and Evaluation Program (DRE)
The Gananoque Police Service introduced the Drug Recognition and Evaluation Program to
address impaired drivers under the influence of drugs. This initiative continues to help keep
Gananoque safe.
The Gananoque Police Service is proactive in protecting its’ citizens from drug and/or
alcohol-impaired drivers. The Police Service has an officer certified as a Drug Recognition
Expert who received extensive training in Canada and the US.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health released a study that found that about 20% of
Ontario high school students admit to driving a vehicle within one hour of using cannabis at
least once within the preceding year.
Changes to the Criminal Code of Canada impaired driving laws provides police officers with
better tools to detect and investigate drug impaired driving. The law adopts the program
endorsed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police which has been in effect in
several states in the US for many years.
The DRE program was designed to check for the presence of seven classes of drugs.
These are depressants (including alcohol), inhalants, PCP (phencyclidine), cannabis,
stimulants, hallucinogens and narcotics (opiates like heroin and morphine). Research has
shown preliminary DRE evaluations (i.e. without the toxicology results from bodily fluid
samples) to be more than 80% effective. Charges are not laid without confirmation of
preliminary evaluations through toxicology.
Besides helping to keep drug-impaired drivers off the nation's roadways, DRE testing can
also rule out drug impairment in drivers who have a medical condition, such as a
neurological injury, and steer these people towards appropriate medical attention. Drug
recognition experts can assist in other situations too, such as when dealing with intoxicated
prisoners and assessing whether they require emergency medical services.
An officer who suspects a driver may be impaired by drugs can demand that the
driver perform a test of their physical co-ordination. If the driver fails that test, the
officer can compel the driver to go to the police station for a lengthier evaluation
by a drug-recognition expert.
At the end of that evaluation, the expert can order the driver to submit a blood, urine or
saliva sample — in much the same way police with reasonable grounds to believe someone
is driving alcohol-impaired to submit a breathalyser.
The Gananoque Police Service introduced the Drug Recognition and Evaluation Program to
address impaired drivers under the influence of drugs. This initiative continues to help keep
Gananoque safe.
The Gananoque Police Service is proactive in protecting its’ citizens from drug and/or
alcohol-impaired drivers. The Police Service has an officer certified as a Drug Recognition
Expert who received extensive training in Canada and the US.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health released a study that found that about 20% of
Ontario high school students admit to driving a vehicle within one hour of using cannabis at
least once within the preceding year.
Changes to the Criminal Code of Canada impaired driving laws provides police officers with
better tools to detect and investigate drug impaired driving. The law adopts the program
endorsed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police which has been in effect in
several states in the US for many years.
The DRE program was designed to check for the presence of seven classes of drugs.
These are depressants (including alcohol), inhalants, PCP (phencyclidine), cannabis,
stimulants, hallucinogens and narcotics (opiates like heroin and morphine). Research has
shown preliminary DRE evaluations (i.e. without the toxicology results from bodily fluid
samples) to be more than 80% effective. Charges are not laid without confirmation of
preliminary evaluations through toxicology.
Besides helping to keep drug-impaired drivers off the nation's roadways, DRE testing can
also rule out drug impairment in drivers who have a medical condition, such as a
neurological injury, and steer these people towards appropriate medical attention. Drug
recognition experts can assist in other situations too, such as when dealing with intoxicated
prisoners and assessing whether they require emergency medical services.
An officer who suspects a driver may be impaired by drugs can demand that the
driver perform a test of their physical co-ordination. If the driver fails that test, the
officer can compel the driver to go to the police station for a lengthier evaluation
by a drug-recognition expert.
At the end of that evaluation, the expert can order the driver to submit a blood, urine or
saliva sample — in much the same way police with reasonable grounds to believe someone
is driving alcohol-impaired to submit a breathalyser.
| Changes to the impaired driving law also means that drivers caught under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will now: Face a maximum life sentence if they cause death and a maximum 10-year sentence if they cause bodily harm, when their blood alcohol concentration is over 80. Face tougher mandatory penalties such as: $1000 for a first offence sentence of 30 days in jail for a second offence sentence of 120 days in jail for a third offence face a higher maximum penalty on summary conviction of 18 months compared to 6 months previously the five-year maximum, where the prosecution proceeds by indictment, remains |
| DRE PROGRAM |
| Refusal to comply with the Physical Coordination Tests demand can result in a $1000 fine. |
Drug users are frequently involved in
fatal accidents. Studies estimate that
3.4% of motor vehicle accident fatalities
and 1.7% of injuries are the result of
drug-impairment, and that these
estimated proportions more than
double when dealing with impairment by
a combination of alcohol and drugs.
One study has indicated that more than
30% of fatal accidents in
Quebec involve drugs.
fatal accidents. Studies estimate that
3.4% of motor vehicle accident fatalities
and 1.7% of injuries are the result of
drug-impairment, and that these
estimated proportions more than
double when dealing with impairment by
a combination of alcohol and drugs.
One study has indicated that more than
30% of fatal accidents in
Quebec involve drugs.
