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.
Samenvatting