DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVERS TARGETED

Those who choose to get high and drive may no longer be getting a
free ride in Canada.

The federal Conservatives are looking at ways to combat drug-impaired
driving through stronger enforcement legislation that can lead to
prosecution.

"Department of Justice lawyers are working on legislation which will
help police deal with drug-impaired drivers," said Langley MP Mark
Warawa last Wednesday.

He made the announcement at a press conference organized by the
Langley RCMP on the issue of teens' lax attitudes toward smoking pot
and getting behind the wheel of a car. Politicians, police and youth
counsellors joined forces to say this is a problem that should be
taken seriously.

Langley resident Helen Featherston knows all too well about the
dangers of driving high. In April 2002, she lost her 16-year-old son
Simon in a horrific single-vehicle car crash. Court testimony
indicated the driver was under the influence of marijuana.

The crash also killed another boy, Dayton Unger.

"I would hope that my son's death would prevent someone else's
death," said Featherston at the press conference. "We are devastated.
He was our only child, we were very close."

Simon didn't know the driver of the Mustang.

"Parents can't be apathetic, if you want to save your child, get in
their face about things," she said.

The driver, 16 at the time, was the first person in B.C. to be
charged with drug-impaired driving. Because of a technicality, the
charge was dropped.

Police are hoping the federal legislation will include allowing for
mandatory bodily fluid samples from suspected drug impaired drivers.

"Give us the legislation piece that is missing. At roadside checks if
we suspect someone of drug impaired driving we want the person to
submit a bodily fluid sample," said drug recognition expert and RCMP
drug awareness co-ordinator Cpl. Beth Blackburn.

At roadside checks, she's seen an increase in teens driving while
high, many of whom believe it's safe to do.

Warawa however, worries that mandatory drug-testing wouldn't get past
a Charter challenge. Through current provincial legislation, police
can't demand a blood or urine sample for drugs but can for alcohol.
They can impound a person's car or suspend a driver's licence if
they suspect the driver of being impaired by drugs.

Warawa is hoping the new legislation will give police more
enforcement powers and increase the ability to prosecute.