This study examined the effect of the Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program on impaired driving (DWI) enforcement and adjudification. Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) in DEC programs evaluate suspects when drugs other than alcohol are suspected of contributing to driver impairment. Eleven police agencies in five states with DEC were compared with similar police agencies without DEC. Results varied considerably across DEC agencies. Some DEC agencies showed lower overall mean alcohol levels (BACs) in DWI arrests, fewer low BAC suspects "not booked" for DWI and more DWI convictions for suspects at low BAC. The number of DRE evaluations conducted by the DEC agencies tested to peak at about two to four percent of all DWI arrests during the first one to two years of DEC and decline thereafter to about one and one half percent. Overall, 1842 suspects were evaluated; most of the DRE drug opinions were confirmed by chemical tests; and most of the confirmed suspects were convicted. (A)
Samenvatting