DRUG 'EXPERTS' TAKE TO STREETS

Toking Drivers Are Impaired Too: Police

Armed with new information, police hope to broaden the war on drunk driving
to include those stoned or high on drugs other than alcohol.

"We're talking about the complete spectrum of drugs in this country,"
Toronto Police Deputy Chief Mike Boyd said. "We're talking about Ecstasy,
we're talking about PCP, we're talking about heroin, and cocaine."

Boyd was speaking yesterday at the graduation of 19 police and Corrections
Canada officers from a three-week course on how to detect those impaired by
drugs, the first of its kind in Canada.

The graduates, from across the country, are now considered drug-recognition
experts.

Pointing to one study that suggested younger drivers are more likely to
toke and drive rather than drink and drive, Boyd said there's a huge need
for such experts.

"Especially when you consider the highly potent marijuana that is on the
streets of Canada today," he said.

The training program has its roots in British Columbia, where police say
they've had considerable success in convincing courts to accept officers'
testimony during impaired driving trials.

In Ontario, a charge was thrown out three weeks ago when a judge ruled the
lack of expert testimony left reasonable doubt as to whether a medicinal
marijuana user was impaired after a cop spotted him smoking a joint behind
the wheel.

"The courts are unaware of just the level of impairment drugs cause," said
RCMP Const. Wayne Jeffery, one of the course instructors.

RCMP Const. Evan Graham, another course instructor, said cops should be
allowed to demand a sample of blood, urine or saliva for toxicology
testing, which would clinch the impairment analysis in court.

"Definitely -- it's no different than someone who's stopped under the
influence of alcohol," Graham said. "We can do it roadside. It's not invasive."