California Police Chief- Fall 2013 CPCA_2017_Winter Magazine Final | Page 13

training requires two weeks of training and a recertification
every two years. So many agencies are turning to drug
abuse recognition (DAR) programs. “DAR training is only
three days—it’s like DRE-lite,” he said.
The intensive DRE program teaches officers a 12-
step process to determine when someone is under the
influence of a controlled substance (as well as what drug
they might be using). This includes gauging pupil size,
checking reaction to light, and other standard field sobriety
tests. Its scope includes checking pulse, blood pressure,
temperature, and other biometrics to help officers
investigate whether a person is under the influence.
The shorter DAR training teaches seven steps instead
of 12 to identify when someone is under the influence.
The DAR program does not include the in-depth
evaluations like blood pressure, but rather relies on the
standard field sobriety tests in addition to the DAR exam
to determine intoxication.
Does the DAR training provide enough information for
officers to determine intoxication? Graves believes officers
trained in DAR are highly competent at identifying and
determining intoxication, especially when it comes to
marijuana. For one thing, the marijuana being consumed
these days is so potent that it’s easier than ever for
officers to spot someone under the influence. “When I
first started in 1988, the THC in marijuana was about
1.3 percent. Now you can find marijuana bud that’s 30
percent and extracts, like hash oil, that’s more like 50 or
90 percent THC,” he said. “If you’re smoking weed that
powerful, the signs and symptoms of intoxication are
exponentially more pronounced.”
As legalization leads to increased drug use in public
spaces, officers are encountering intoxicated individuals
on a regular basis and gaining more experience identifying
signs of impairment. “During my 29-year career, I’ve never
seen as much marijuana on the streets as I’ve seen in the
last few years,” Graves said. “Now, more than ever, we
need to train officers in drug influence recognition so we
can try to get drug prosecutions.” ■
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