DRUG RECOGNITION EVALUATION                                                                                  Pill_opens_2.gif   

The Drug Evaluation and Classification process is a SYSTEMATIC and STANDARDIZED  method of examining a person to determine:

  • Whether the person is under the influence of a drug, or combination of drugs.
  • If the impairment is resulting from an injury, illness or is drug related.
                          

The process is SYSTEMATIC in that it is based on a careful assessment of a variety of observable signs and symptoms that are known to be reliable indicators of drug impairment.

Some of these observable SIGNS are:

  • Appearance. Behavior. Mind and Body, (Pyschophysical Tests) Automatic Responses, etc.

The Process is STANDARDIZED in that it is administered exactly the same way to every person by every Drug Recognition Expert. Standardization helps to ensure that:

 

  • No mistakes are made.                                                                                                                                   
  • No examinations are left out.
  • No extraneous or unreliable indicator are included.                              

Should the officer fail  to follow these protocols, then his evaluation is open for attack.