Provincial police forces are ready to deal with a potential rise in drug-impaired driving since recreational marijuana is now legal.
The Department of Justice and Public Safety says nearly one-in-four officers are trained in Standard Field Sobriety Testing to detect possible impairment.
John Jurcina, assistant deputy minister, told reporters this week 32 officers are certified Drug Recognition Experts, who can do additional testing after a suspected drug-impaired driver is arrested.
“For those areas where the numbers are a little less, [police forces] are certainly rendering mutual aid and assistance to each other to ensure that the appropriate response is in place,” Jurcina said.
More training planned
The Saint John Police Force has seven certified Drug Recognition Experts and 33 officers trained in Standard Field Sobriety Testing, according to Staff Sgt. Jim Fleming, who said more training sessions are being planned.
“Police chiefs would love to have additional members trained,” Jurcina said. “The goal of the training planned is, over a period of time, to enhance that response capability.”
Jurcina said they hope to have 62 certified Drug Recognition Experts by 2022 and half of all officers trained in Standard Field Sobriety Testing in 2021.
