10.5 Drug Recognition Expert Training (DRE)
This is the only program that can be completed that allows an officer to identify himself has a Drug Recognition Expert/ DRE (also referred to as a drug recognition evaluator). The first DRE program was approved by NHTSA in 1989. It is surprisingly similar to the version still used today. In my mind, the main difference is that the HGN was administered very differently back then, as it followed the same guidelines for the HGN used for DWI- alcohol at the time.
The certification process is approximately 240 hours total. Phase I of classroom time is 72 hours. Of that, 2 days are spent in a “pre-school” class, and the DRE course itself is7 days[1]. The officer must then do 160 hours of Field Certification (Phase II).
To maintain certification as a DRE, the officer must remain in law enforcement, attend an 8 hour recertification process, conduct 4 evaluations, and update his CV. The officer must be recertified every 2 years.
10.5.1 Pre-school Program
During this 2 day class, the officer gets an overview of the entire DRE program. The 7 categories of drugs are covered, the 12 step process is covered, and the officer is taught how to administer the tests. The manual for the preschool program is much easier to read and find things than the full 7 day counterpart.
10.5.2 7 Day DRE Course
In order for this book to not be an additional hundred pages, I am primarily using the overview of the program as described and used in Section 4 of the manual to describe the 12 step process. I will also attempt to add any important additional details. Please look at the corresponding chapter of the Student Manual for the full details on how the officer is supposed to administer the 12 steps.
10.5.2.1 12 Step Program Overview
“DRUG INFLUENCE EVALUATION CHECKLIST
2. Interview of arresting officer
3. Preliminary examination and first pulse
(Note: Gloves must be worn from this point on.)
______ Romberg balance
______ Walk and turn
______ One leg stand
______ Finger to nose
6.Vital signs and second pulse
7.Dark room examinations and ingestion examination
9.Check for injection sites and third pulse
10. Interrogation, statements, and other observations
12 Toxicological examination[1]”
10.5.2.3 Drug Categories
The drug categories are the same as used in the other manuals. The main difference is the “drug matrix” and categories include all of the expected symptoms the DRE uses. Ie. Blood pressure, muscle tone, pupil size. There also is a more exhaustive list of which drug falls into which category. Keep in mind, the officer can only detect categories of drugs, not specific drugs.
10.5.2.4 Specific Detection of Marijuana
This material is not in the DRE manual, but still comes from NHTSA:
“Interpretation of Blood Concentrations: It is difficult to establish a relationship between a person's THC blood or plasma concentration and performance impairing effects. Concentrations of parent drug and metabolite are very dependent on pattern of use as well as dose. THC concentrations typically peak during the act of smoking, while peak 11-OH THC concentrations occur approximately 9-23 minutes after the start of smoking. Concentrations of both analytes decline rapidly and are often < 5 ng/mL at 3 hours. Significant THC concentrations (7 to 18 ng/mL) are noted following even a single puff or hit of a marijuana cigarette. Peak plasma THC concentrations ranged from 46-188 ng/mL in 6 subjects after they smoked 8.8 mg THC over 10 minutes. Chronic users can have mean plasma levels of THC-COOH of 45 ng/mL, 12 hours after use; corresponding THC levels are, however, less than 1 ng/mL. Following oral administration, THC concentrations peak at 1-3 hours and are lower than after smoking. Dronabinol and THC-COOH are present in equal concentrations in plasma and concentrations peak at approximately 2-4 hours after dosing.
It is inadvisable to try and predict effects based on blood THC concentrations alone, and currently impossible to predict specific effects based on THC-COOH concentrations. It is possible for a person to be affected by marijuana use with concentrations of THC in their blood below the limit of detection of the method[1].”
The cannabinoid 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) is generally accepted as the principal psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Whereas, 11-nor-9-Carboxy-THC, also known as 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, 11-COOH-THC, THC-COOH, and THC-11-oic acid, is the main secondary metabolite of THC which is formed in the body after Cannabis is consumed.
11-COOH-THC is not psychoactive itself, but has a long half-life in the body of up to several days (or even weeks in very heavy users).
[1]http://www.nhtsa.gov/People/injury/research/job185drugs/cannabis.htm
[1]DRE 7 Day Program Student Manual, HS172A R01/10 (2010) (hereafter referenced as DRE Manual) At Ch 4, pg 4.
[1]DRE Preschool Student Manual, HS172A R01/10 (2010), pg. 4