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Stoned drivers also target of Checkstop
By: Cary Castagna, Winnipeg Sun (CN MB), 12-01-04

When Winnipeg police kick off the December Checkstop program tonight, officers won't just be looking for drunks, they'll also be watching for stoned drivers and motorists high on prescription drugs or over-the-counter medication. That's because driving while under the influence of drugs -- legal substances or otherwise -- is just as hazardous as drinking and driving, said Winnipeg police patrol Sgt. Rob Riffel.

"In some cases, it can be worse," he said.

Marijuana, for example, can have a debilitating toll on a driver.

"Marijuana is a hallucinogen," Riffel explained. "It affects time-distance perception. It affects all systems of the body. Your reflexes are slower, just like with alcohol."

There are four Winnipeg police officers who are drug recognition experts (DRE). And they've nabbed a wide range of impaired drivers in recent months -- from those who puffed on a joint before hitting the road to those who overdosed on Benadryl, a popular antihistamine.

"I don't think it's getting any worse. Our skills are getting better at picking it out," Riffel said.

This holiday season's Checkstop program, which runs until Jan. 1, 2005, will see officers checking motorists leaving licensed premises, house parties, office parties and a variety of other events, said Winnipeg police spokesman Const. Bob Johnson.

"Experience has taught the police service the best times and locations to deploy the Checkstop program and we have arranged our setups to reflect those trends," Johnson said.

And contrary to popular belief, officers will be stopping motorists long after 1 or 2 a.m.

"The Checkstop unit will be out there until the wee hours of the morning," Johnson said.

Last December, police pulled over more than 7,000 vehicles and conducted 377 Alcohol Screening Device (ASD) tests.

Twenty-one motorists failed the test and were charged with impaired driving.

Cops also issued 57 24-hour driver's licence suspensions to motorists who blew a blood-alcohol level reading of between .05 and .08.

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SPOTTING THE DRUGGIES

The Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) evaluation is a voluntary 12-stepstandardized procedure for determining impairment by drugs or a drug and alcohol combination.

- A breath test to rule out alcohol as the major cause of impairment;

- An interview of the arresting officer by the drug recognition expert;

- A preliminary examination of the subject;

- An eye examination;

- A series of divided-attention tests;

- The examination of vital signs;

- A darkroom examination of pupil sizes;

- A check of muscle tone;

- An examination of typical injection sites on the person's body;

- The rendering of an opinion by the drug recognition expert;

- An interview with the subject;

- And the provision of a bodily fluid sample.

-- Canada Justice Department