TRAINING LETS POLICE ID DRUGGED DRIVERS

Many drivers seem to have gotten the message not to drink and drive
but the same isn't true when it comes to getting behind the wheel
under the influence of drugs.

In Michigan, the number of alcohol-related crashes fatalities and
arrests has decreased while the same statistics involving drug-related
crashes has increased.

Reflecting that shift, Westland Police Officer Kevin Yudt is now one
of 15 officers in Michigan trained to recognize and identify drug
impairment and identify the categories of drugs involved. He recently
completed training in the state's first Drug Recognition Expert Course.

"This is the hardest thing I ever did. I have my bachelor's (degree).
We had to memorize every drug category," said Yudt. "We were in class
until 4 p.m. then dinner and studying until 11 p.m. Everyone had to
maintain 100 percent."

In addition to the Michigan State Police classes in Lansing, Yudt
completed his training at the Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff's
Department identifying drugs that prisoners had used.

"It's a 12-step process. You can exactly determine what kind of drugs
- -- in seven categories -- they have taken," said Yudt, who has been with
the department for eight years. "Each drug affects the body
differently."

Along with interviewing the person and administering standard tests
for drunken drivers, Yudt conducts a series of examinations -- blood
pressure checks, pulse and pupil dilation.

"One drug category is depressants. It slows the body down. You look
for normal pupil size but a slow reaction to light," said Yudt. "The
pulse rate will be down below the normal range and the blood pressure
will be down. With pain pills, you get contracted pupils -- it's the
only one with pinpoint pupils."

As part of his assessment, Yudt checks for other telltale signs --
marijuana smokers will have a green film on their tongue and heat
bumps in their mouths, for instance.

In the past, it could be problematic when police officers were
confronted with a driver under the influence of drugs.

"It wasn't uncommon during the heyday of powder cocaine -- before crack
- -- for people to do cocaine all day and have one beer before they left
the bar," said Westland Police Sgt. Patrick Corby of the Traffic
Bureau. "You have no hard evidence. If someone blows .04 (on a
Breathalyzer), but are acting really messed up, then he (Yudt) does
his assessment. People weren't trained to detect drugs."

Drug use overlapping with alcohol consumption is where expertise comes
in, said Yudt, whose training also lets him assess the stages of drugs
as they move through someone's system.

"I'd say the most abused drug now are prescription drugs -- Xanax and
Oxycodone -- and medical marijuana," said Corby.

Yudt agreed adding, "You can't drive using medical marijuana. People
have a prescription and think it gives them the right to do anything
they want."

While Yudt is assigned half time to the Traffic Bureau, the department
is developing a policy on when his expertise as DRE will be needed.

"It's very exciting for the members of our department as we continue
to become more efficient and proactive in our enforcement against
people who operate a motor vehicle while impaired," said Westland
Police Chief Greg Angelosanto. "We are also looking forward to
utilizing this expertise in other law enforcement situations where the
need to know if a person is under the influence of narcotics is
important."