DRUG EXPERT CAN TELL WHO'S STONED

Det.-Const. Timothy Kuttschrutter can tell if you are on drugs.

The York Regional Police drug recognition expert, one of two on the
force and only 16 in the province, looks at those things a body can't
control, such as blood pressure, body temperature and, of course, the
constriction or dilation of the pupils.

"There are certain things in the body you don't have control over, no
matter what you try," he said.

"Those are the telltale signs you may be impaired by a drug."

The average pupil is around three to 6.5 mm. Det.-Const. Kuttschrutter
said he's seen the pupil of a person under the influence of a narcotic
constrict to as small as 1.5 mm, the size of a pinhole.

The drug recognition expert program was started in 1979 by the Los
Angeles Police Department.

Being certified as a drug detection specialist means an officer has
the knowledge, skills and ability to form an expert opinion regarding
impairment by drugs.

Right now, it's mainly being used to stop people from driving while
under the influence of drugs, the officer said.

Once a driver is stopped, officers can perform a standardized field
sobriety test, which may include things such as walking and turning or
standing on one leg.

Since spring 2004, 25 front-line York officers have been trained to
complete such tests, which help form reasonable grounds to suspect
impairment by drugs or alcohol.

"What you look for with an impaired person is the inability to perform
motor and mental skills," Det.-Const. Kuttschrutter said.

If the officer suspects the driver is impaired, an expert is
called.

A 45-minute evaluation is performed by the expert, who will try to
determine, through a series of psychological and physical tests, which
category of drug the driver may have used.

Then they ask for a blood, urine or oral fluid swab sample to
corroborate their findings.

As of the beginning of December, Det.-Const. Kuttschrutter and the
force's other expert have performed nine consensual drug detection
evaluations.

As a result, nine people have been charged with drug-related impaired
driving charges. The cases have yet to make their way through the courts.

However, the real work is expected to begin should the federal
government decriminalize marijuana.

Coming hand-in-hand with decriminalization is Bill C-16, introduced in
the house of commons Nov. 1.

The bill proposes changes to the criminal code that would enable
police officers to demand drivers suspected of being impaired by a
drug undergo a standardized field sobriety test or a drug detection
evaluation.

It would also make it an offence to refuse to provide an oral fluid,
urine or blood sample on demand.

With relaxed public attitudes toward marijuana, the drug being
increasingly used for medicinal purposes and decriminalization on the
way, Det.-Const. Kuttschrutter, who will train other drug experts in
the new year, expects to be busy.

"Right now, it's a learning curve for the guys on the road," he said.
"This thing is really brand new for all of us."