Drug Recognition and Impairment

Drug Recognition and Impairment

• The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) created the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) program in the early 1970s.
• The NHTSA noticed the LAPD DRE program in the early 1980s.
• The International Association of Chiefs of Police approved the Drug Recognition Section in 1992.
• Trained officers can identify impairment from drugs in addition to or instead of alcohol.
• Properly trained DREs can identify drug impairment and determine the drug type.

Drug Classifications and Names

• Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants:
  • Alcohol (beer, whisky, rum, vodka, tequila, etc.)
  • Barbiturates (barbs, reds, yellows, phennies)
  • Benzodiazepines (downers, sleeping pills, tranks)
  • Dextromethorphan (dex, robo, skittles, triple C, tussin)
• CNS Stimulants:
  • Cocaine (coke, snow, rock, crack, candy, blow)
  • Methamphetamine (speed, meth, crystal, ice, crank)
  • Amphetamines (speed, bennies, black beauties, crosses, hearts, uppers)
• Hallucinogens:
  • Mushrooms (shrooms, magic)
  • Peyote (magic cactus)
  • MDMA (ecstasy, love drug, X, E, Adam)
  • LSD (acid, stamps, hits, tabs, trips)
• Dissociative Anesthetics:
  • PCP/Phencyclidine (angel dust, wack, embalming fluid, ozone, rocket fuel)
  • Ketamine (ketter, KFC, animal tranquilizer)
• Narcotic Analgesics:
  • Heroin (blacktar, big H, brown sugar, horse, junk, smac)
  • Morphine (M, Miss Emma, monkey, duramorph, white stuff)
  • Oxycodone (hillbilly heroin, oxy, OC, oxycotton, percs, happy pills, Vikes)
  • Fentanyl (apache, china girl, china white, dance fever, goodfella, jackpot, murder 8, TNT, tango and cash) - extremely dangerous
• Inhalants:
  • Common household products (model airplane glue, hairspray, cleaning fluids, etc.) - NOS, spray, huff
• Cannabis:
  • Marijuana (weed, pot, dope, Mary Jane, reefer, skunk, herb)

Side Effects

• Narcotic Analgesics: Euphoria, drowsiness, constricted pupils
• Stimulants: Euphoria, dilated pupils, excitation
• Cannabis: Disorientation, euphoria, relaxed inhibitions, muscle tremors, eyelid tremors
• Depressants: Slurred speech, disorientation, drunken behavior
• Dissociative Anesthetics: Hallucinations, combative behavior, chemical odor
• Inhalants: Disoriented, chemical on hands/face, flushed face, uncommunicative

Drug Recognition

• Heroin: Black-brown tarry goo to light-brown powder
• Cocaine/Crack: Off-white crystallized powder/small nuggets
• Marijuana: Green leafy substance with stems and seeds
• Amphetamines/Methamphetamines: Pills/crystallized powder
• LSD/PCP: Blotter paper, capsules, tablets, powder, liquid
• Prescription drugs (abused): Pill form with markings or liquid

Drug Seizure

• Safety Precautions: Glove up, handle substances minimally, wash hands, use appropriate PPE.
• Methods: Physical characteristics, field tests, paraphernalia evaluation.
• Fentanyl Warning: Extremely potent, respiratory depression/death. Avoid contact without proper PPE (nitrile gloves, N-95 mask, eye protection, coveralls, naloxone).

Paraphernalia

• Hypodermic needles: Injecting heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, mixtures
• Scales: Used for drug transactions and user purchases
• Pipes: Smoking marijuana and crack
• Spoons and syringes: Drug preparation and use
• Plastic twists/Paper bindles: Holding drugs
• Tubes: Snorting cocaine and methamphetamine
• Cigarette papers: Rolling marijuana

Seizure Rules

• Avoid tasting or smelling substances; use gloves when handling.
• Use specialized drug teams for labs or high-risk situations.
• Take care to avoid needle pricks and get immediate medical attention if needed.

Citizen Safety (Clandestine Labs)

• Secure the scene (leave as found)
• Check for booby traps
• Evacuate the area safely
• Summon trained personnel.
• Collect and package evidence and fingerprints.
• Warn personnel of risks.

Drug Encounters

• Common Locations: Traffic stops, accidents, arrests, warrant executions, patrol sightings, informant tips, complaint investigations, prisoner transport
• Procedures include searches of people and vehicles

Controlled Substances Act (Utah)

• UCA 58-37-1: Utah Controlled Substances Act
• UCA 58-37-2: Definitions
• UCA 58-37-4: Schedules of controlled substances (I-V)
• UCA 58-37-8: Penalties
  • Possession with intent to distribute (heroin, cocaine, meth, LSD, PCP) – 2nd degree felony
  • Personal use (heroin, cocaine, meth, LSD, PCP) – Class A misdemeanor, becomes 3rd degree felony after 3rd conviction within 7 years
  • Marijuana possession penalties vary by amount.

Narcotic Quantity

• Determine if amounts are for personal use or distribution.
• Understand units (pounds, ounces, grams, milligrams, liters, milliliters).
• Convert different measurement standards.

Explore the key concepts of drug recognition and impairment through the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) program established by the LAPD. This quiz covers classifications and examples of CNS depressants and stimulants, outlining the significance of recognizing drug-type impairments. Test your knowledge of the various drugs and their effects on the central nervous system.