Citation

Jackson PG, Tunbridge RJ, Rowe DJ. Proc. Int. Counc. Alcohol Drugs Traffic Safety Conf. 2000; 2000: -p..

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, The author(s) and the Council, Publisher International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Drug Recognition Training (DRT) for police officers has recently been initiated. Police officers from 6 forces received training in drug impairment recognition and also in the administration of a standardised Field Impairment Test (FIT). These officers then applied their training in a real world setting for a period of 2 months. As a comparison, specially trained TRL researchers have also used these techniques at 2 city locations. Young people exiting clubs and pubs were invited to provide a saliva sample and perform the tests involved in DRT/FIT. All samples (from both the police and TRL trials) have been analysed by independent forensic laboratories. Results show that the DRT/FIT techniques are very useful in identifying impairment and the likely drug group responsible. This paper reports the results of both sets of trials and provides a list of recommendations based on experiences of the police and the TRL team.