Winter Woman
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http://www.freep.com/article/201009090300/NEWS06/9090347
LANSING -- Michigan drivers could become the first in the nation subject to roadside drug testing under a bill introduced Wednesday in the Legislature.
The legislation would authorize police to administer a roadside saliva test for illegal drug use, just as they do breath tests for alcohol, when they stop a driver suspected of being intoxicated.
State Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, a former Eaton County sheriff and sponsor of one of the bills in the package, said the tests are easy to administer, reliable and cost effective. The tests could largely replace costly and time-consuming procedures, often requiring search warrants and hospital-administered blood tests, Jones said.
The test kit under consideration for Michigan can detect drug use in six categories, including marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine.
"I know this has been a problem for law enforcement for years," Jones said. "What do you do when you've got a guy you know is on drugs but you can't test him?"
The state Department of Corrections uses portable drug kits to test parolees, Jones said, but Michigan could become the first state to authorize their use by traffic cops.
Roadside drug testing has been used in Australia and Europe.
Southfield criminal defense attorney Joseph Awad said roadside drug testing opens the door for arbitrary application by police, especially against thousands of drivers on the road every day using doctor-prescribed medications, Awad said.
But Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, a national group that advocates for the decriminalization of marijuana, said a reliable, roadside test could help. But Armentano is skeptical about the equipment and whether testing would improve public safety.
One benefit, Armentano said, is that the public would be more likely to embrace rational drug laws if a reliable roadside test was available.
The presence of any level of any illegal drug is grounds under Michigan law for a charge of drugged driving.
Read more: Michigan may be 1st to adopt roadside drug testing | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20100909/NEWS06/9090347/1001/rss01#ixzz0z25ZHEld
State Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, a former Eaton County sheriff and sponsor of one of the bills in the package, said the tests are easy to administer, reliable and cost effective. The tests could largely replace costly and time-consuming procedures, often requiring search warrants and hospital-administered blood tests, Jones said.
The test kit under consideration for Michigan can detect drug use in six categories, including marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine.
"I know this has been a problem for law enforcement for years," Jones said. "What do you do when you've got a guy you know is on drugs but you can't test him?"
The state Department of Corrections uses portable drug kits to test parolees, Jones said, but Michigan could become the first state to authorize their use by traffic cops.
Roadside drug testing has been used in Australia and Europe.
Southfield criminal defense attorney Joseph Awad said roadside drug testing opens the door for arbitrary application by police, especially against thousands of drivers on the road every day using doctor-prescribed medications, Awad said.
But Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, a national group that advocates for the decriminalization of marijuana, said a reliable, roadside test could help. But Armentano is skeptical about the equipment and whether testing would improve public safety.
One benefit, Armentano said, is that the public would be more likely to embrace rational drug laws if a reliable roadside test was available.
The presence of any level of any illegal drug is grounds under Michigan law for a charge of drugged driving.
Read more: Michigan may be 1st to adopt roadside drug testing | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20100909/NEWS06/9090347/1001/rss01#ixzz0z25ZHEld