ON: Drugged Driving Charge A First Woman Tested, Arrested

[Binky]

DRUGGED DRIVING CHARGE A FIRST WOMAN TESTED, ARRESTED AFTER CRASHING HER CAR INTO ACCIDENT SCENE

Toronto police have made their first-ever arrest under Canada's new drugged driving law, charging a woman yesterday after she crashed her car into an accident scene.

The new legislation on impaired driving came into effect in Canada in July. It includes mandatory tests to catch drug-impaired drivers.

The police arrested the 27-year-old Toronto woman around 4 p.m. on Richmond St. E. Police were on the scene investigating an earlier collision when the driver hit a vehicle involved in the crash. She was charged with impaired driving.

"Officers determined that she was not drunk, but they suspected drug use," said Sgt. Tim Burrows of traffic services. "There have been lots of cases where drug use has been suspected, but this was the first time a drug-recognition test was able to be used."

Burrows could not confirm what drug the driver had taken.

Prior to this legislation, police were allowed to ask drivers for a urine, blood or saliva sample if they were suspected of being under the influence of drugs. However, officers had to inform drivers that they were not obligated to take the test.

"There was no monitoring in place for us to make this demand at all," said Burrows, "New ground has been broken."

Under this new legislation, drivers suspected of drug use are taken to traffic services and tested by a specially trained drug recognition expert.

The test involves looking at indicators such as pupil size, blood pressure and the ability of the driver to multi-task. The final part of the test is a bodily fluid swab test.

Those caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will face at least a $1,000 fine for a first offence, a minimum of 30 days in jail for a second offence and 120 days in jail if they are caught a third time.

Officers are trained to check for several classes of drugs including cannabis, hallucinogens, cocaine and methamphetamine.

The driver, whose name was not released, was to appear in court this morning.

The Toronto Star
Contact: lettertoed@thestar.ca
Website: http://www.thestar.com/

[neuroherb]

Im not against drug driving laws per se same as I am not against drink driving laws in any way. However how did they get round the problem of quantifiying the effect of the quantity of cannabinoids detected. The argument that cannabis smoked over a week ago could still be detected although not a problem. Have they set a % of THC blood level like the alcohol system or is it a straight its in your sample so you must be affected.

[CannabisHelpsMe.com]

FTA: "Burrows could not confirm what drug the driver had taken."

How much do you want to bet it was a prescription pHARMacuetical? If this had been Cannabis (highly unlikely since it makes you a better driver), or some other illegal drug, they would be capitalizing on it.

[Mamahawk6]

O concur CannabisHM

[neuroherb]

Although I agree with the sentiment re if they could prove it was cannabis this particualr one would have stated it, I think it could be debatable as to whether cannabis actually makes people better drivers. If it meant mainstrea politicians took other cannabis issues more serious it is defnitely a concern of the anti brgade that I would agree could be valid therefore in the same vain of drink driving a proper means of assessing any effect was established. As a side note most countries with DWI / DUI laws cover pharmaceuticals along with alcohol & ilegal drugs.

[cannarchist]

Officers are trained to check for several classes of drugs including cannabis, hallucinogens, cocaine and methamphetamine.

... they forgot the opiates.

and the ability of the driver to multi-task

... we were not impaired when we were in an accident and I wouldn't have been able to multi-task after that.

[clinton]

I have read that some cannabis on-site tests give a high number of false positives. If you get one of these, insist on the blood or urine test to try to clear yourself.

Question - Does anyone have any data on blood levels? Since cannabis stays in the fat for a long time, what is the blood level that proves impairment?

clinton

[TheCap'n]

I don't see how we can have a mandatory blood level that proves impairment for cannabis. As a med user I can smoke a gram of potent meds and not be impaired, yet a casual smoking friend could have one puff of the same stuff and be highly intoxicated. If they set a maximum blood level for THC I will always fail even though I am never impaired.

Peace

[smokeskunk420]

I don't see how we can have a mandatory blood level that proves impairment for cannabis. As a med user I can smoke a gram of potent meds and not be impaired, yet a casual smoking friend could have one puff of the same stuff and be highly intoxicated. If they set a maximum blood level for THC I will always fail even though I am never impaired.

Peace

I am also very concerned... someone driving on their meds is risking charges of Impared driving and Even Criminal Negligence if something bad heppend!!!!!
Now what kind of fucked up shit is that?

[Plode]

I have read somewhere that saliva tests can detect cannabis use around 24 hours after use. I assume if you get popped by a saliva test as "positive" it would be difficult to argue that you had smoked two weeks ago as opposed to this morning. I am not certain.

[Neal]

I am also very concerned... someone driving on their meds is risking charges of Impared driving and Even Criminal Negligence if something bad heppend!!!!!
Now what kind of fucked up shit is that?

This is why my Dr. says no to a gold card!