U.S. Plans Breathalyzer-Like Drug Test for Drivers

U.S. Plans Breathalyzer-Like Marijuana Drug Test for Drivers

19 Nov 2002 20:53 GMT By Laura MacInnis


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Roadside drug tests modeled after breathalyzers 
are nearly ready for use in the United States, helping police identify 
drivers impaired by illegal substances, officials said on Tuesday.

National Drug Control Policy Director John Walters said the cheap,
on-the-spot tests would hasten the arrest of those driving under the
influence of illegal drugs like marijuana or cocaine, as well as 
alcohol.

"Soon officers will have the ability to positively identify someone who 
is endangering others' lives on the road," he told a news briefing at the
National Drug Control Policy office. "This is not something we are 
powerless to do something about."

Walters said the drug tests were in the last stages of trials, but he
declined to say when the new devices would be deployed. Similar 
technology has also been used in pilot tests in Britain and continental Europe.

Critics of America's so-called "war on drugs" said the new tests could 
spur an abuse of power by authorities aiming to crack down on recreational 
drug users.

"The way I understand it, if you have any evidence of the drug in your
system you are presumed to be the equivalent of a drunk driver," said 
Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance in 
Washington.

"We're not talking about a three or four hour window. A urine or blood 
test could show marijuana if you smoked a joint 10 days ago."

While he backed the campaign against impaired driving, Nadelmann said
roadside drug tests would require lawmakers to agree on a minimum
intoxication level, below which individuals would be free to go.

"Treat marijuana and other drugs the way we treat alcohol. Test for 
real impairment. Test for whether people are under the influence," he said.

Nevada resident Gary Thompson, whose wife Sandy was killed at a 
stoplight by a driver high on marijuana, said strict tests were needed to curb the 
social acceptability of drugged driving, particularly among young people.

"We don't care what people do in the privacy of their own homes, but we 
do care what they do on our roads," he told the news briefing.

"We have to make it possible to prosecute violators after innocent people die."

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`U.S. Plans Breathalyzer-Like Marijuana Drug Test for Drivers`

`19 Nov 2002 20:53 GMT By Laura MacInnis`