What does this course cover?

This training covers concepts and skills that are fundamental to the DRE's job. 

• Understanding definitions and language relating to drug impairment and investigation. 
• A deeper understanding of the seven classifications of drugs. 
• Hands-on practice of the evaluation that will be used in the field. 
• Guidance of how to conduct the evaluation and what signs to look for. 

What will the students get out of this course?

The classroom training course is designed to help the students achieve three broad goals, and eight specific learning objectives.

Goals:          

• Determine if an individual is impaired by drug(s), alcohol, a combination of both, or if they suffer from an injury or illness to show similar signs of impairment. 
• Identify which class(es) of drug the individual is under the influence of. 
• Progress to the certification phase of training. 

Objectives:  

• Describe the involvement of drugs in impaired driving incidents.
• Name the seven categories of drugs and recognize their effects.
• Describe and properly administer the psychophysical and physiologic evaluations used in the drug evaluation and classification procedures.
• Document the results of the drug evaluation and classification examination.
• Properly interpret the results of the examination.
• Prepare a narrative drug influence report.
• Discuss appropriate procedures for testifying in typical drug evaluation and classification cases.
• Maintain an up-to-date and relevant curriculum log (curriculum vitae).

More specifically, the course provides formal presentations on:

• Drugs in society and in motor vehicle operation.
• Development and effectiveness of the drug evaluation and classification program procedures.
• An overview of physiology and drugs.
• An overview of the drug evaluation curriculum program procedures.
• Eye examinations (horizontal gaze nystagmus; vertical gaze nystagmus; lack of convergence; estimation of pupil size; pupil reaction to light).
• Vital signs examinations (pulse rate; blood pressure; temperature)
• The physician's desk reference, and other reference materials.
• The seven categories of drugs (central nervous system depressants; central nervous system stimulants; hallucinogens; dissociative anesthetics; narcotic analgesics; inhalants; cannabis).
• Drug combinations.
• Narrative arrest report in drug evaluation cases.
• Case preparation and testimony.
• Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) preparation and maintenance. 

What activities take place during the training?

Formal presentations and lectures occupy approximately half of the course. These presentations cover the content topics outlined earlier. The presentations are supplemented by video segments, and by reading material contained in the student's manual. 

Most of the remainder of the course is devoted to demonstrations and hands-on practice of the drug evaluation and classification procedures. Students repeatedly practice in teams, developing and sharpening their skills with hands on learning. Students also participate in several test interpretation practice sessions, in which they review sample drug evaluation and classification reports and identify the category or categories of drugs responsible for the "evidence" described in the reports.

 The remaining major activity is testing of the students' knowledge and proficiency. A written knowledge examination is given at the end of the course. A formal assessment of each student's skill in administering the drug evaluation and classification procedures is conducted at the end of the course.