NCJ Number
118202
Date Published
1989
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Starting in April 1988 police officers in Virginia have the statutory authority to require that drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) submit a blood sample to be tested for drug content.
Abstract
In addition, Federal, State, and local officials have been working to establish pilot Drug Recognition Technician (DRT) programs in the police departments of Charlottesville, Henrico County, and Virginia and in the Virginia Department of State Police. The DRTs are officers with special training to detect symptoms of impaired driving and to classify the type or types of drugs that a suspect may have used. Between April and November 1988 an average of 50 DUID blood samples per month were sent to the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services for analysis. Evidence of marijuana and phencyclidine use were found in almost half the blood samples, and cocaine was found in 9.2 percent. Only 7.1 percent of the samples showed no drugs or alcohol. A major problem facing the program is the average of 50 days required to complete the laboratory analysis. Personnel and equipment have been added to reduce the time required. However, to prevent the dismissal of a case, police officers should set trial dates 90 days from the date of arrest to ensure that the laboratory will have sufficient time to complete the analysis. Figures and appended policy guidelines.