Introduction to the Drug Evaluation and

Classification Program

Presented by: Detective Peter Sweet Cumberland Police Department Drug Recognition Expert Instructor April 12, 2017

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Step 11 & 12:

Opinion of Evaluator

Toxicology Results

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

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

Questions

Questions???

Contact Info.

Det. Peter Sweet

Cumberland Police Department

Cumberland, RI

Work: 401-333-2500 ext 3038

psweet@cumberlandpolice.com