POLICE SUPPORT DRUGGED DRIVERS' CRACKDOWN

City police say they support Prime Minister Stephen Harper's
announcement last week to crack down on drug impaired drivers.

"We support any initiative to improve road safety," Deputy Chief Ken
Jackman told The Examiner.

"Drivers impaired by drugs are a concern."

The new legislation, to be introduced when the House of Commons
returns from its Remembrance Day break, aims to help deal with the
growing threat of drug-impaired driving, Harper said during the
announcement in Kitchener.

It will increase penalties and also "strengthen presumptions" of
breath and blood tests - even though there is currently no suitable
test in Canada to test for drug impairment.

Jackman said taking steps to make it easier for police to obtain blood
samples from suspected drug impaired drivers is a good start.

Currently police can only apply for a warrant to get a blood sample
after a serious or fatal collision.

Government changes would allow for blood samples to be obtained after
roadside stops.

Police have already taken some steps to crack down on drugged
drivers.

Two city police breathalyser technicians completed training in the
U.S. certifying them as drug recognition experts, Jackman said.

Breath tests can only measure blood-alcohol levels but if an officer
suspects drug impairment he can submit his observations as evidence,
he said.

He said he hopes the government will follow its announcement with
details of federal cash for drug impairment recognition.