| The Drug Recognition Expert program and procedures were
initially
developed in the1970's by the Los Angeles Police Department. This
procedure trains officers to use a standardized
twelve-step evaluation
process that allows the officer to determine whether the suspect is
under
the influence of drugs, and to determine the
category of drug that is
causing the observable impairment. The twelve-step procedure also
allows the
officer to rule in or out many medical conditions,
such as
illness or injury, which may be contributing to the subject's impairment.
While the DRE procedure's main
objective is driving under the influence
(DUI) enforcement,
the procedures have been applied in probation and
parole, drugs in the workplace issues and other areas where accurately
identifying the
drug-impaired individual is relevant.
The New Jersey Association of Drug
Recognition Experts is comprised
of certified DRE officers
from local, county and state law enforcement
agencies, throughout the State.
|