Since November 2023, arrested drivers have been required to provide a saliva sample for testing with the Dräger DrugTest 5000 device.
"This is a new product that has been proposed to us by the company in question, which can come and help our police officers in the field to detect people who are driving under the influence of drugs," says Edmundston Police Force Chief Steve Robinson. "The reliability is recognized and has even been recognized by the court."
The new device adds to the detection techniques already used in the field, such as physical aptitude tests.
The Edmundston Police Force wishes to focus its efforts on prevention and intervention with impaired drivers.
Charges can be laid against drivers whose blood THC level exceeds 5 nanograms per milliliter.
"Before a charge is laid, if a person fails this test [Dräger DrugTest 5000], a second analysis is required, either with another physical aptitude test with a drug recognition expert, or with a medical blood test, to confirm the presence of drugs in the body," says Steve Robinson.
A total of 20 patrol officers received a short training course from Dräger to learn how to use the device.
The six-month Edmundson Police Force pilot project will end in April.
"We'll be evaluating at the end of the project whether we'll be acquiring it on a long-term basis, or continuing as we did previously, by administering the physical aptitude tests," concludes Steve Robinson.
From Mathilde Pineault's report
Source : Cannabis au volant : la police d’Edmundston teste un nouvel outil de dépistage : https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2044042/cannabis-conducteurs-projet-pilote-edmundston
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