What is the role of a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) in DWI cases?

The role of a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) in DWI cases is to assess suspected drug impairment using standardized procedures. DREs are specially trained law enforcement officers who utilize a systematic approach to identify whether a driver is impaired and to determine the category of drugs that may be influencing their behavior.

This involves a detailed evaluation process that includes observing the driver’s behavior, conducting physical tests, and gathering information about the driver's medical history and drug use. The DRE follows a standardized 12-step process that assists in making consistent and reliable impairment assessments. This expertise is particularly crucial when traditional breath tests, which measure blood alcohol content, cannot be used to assess impairment from drugs. The DRE's findings can serve as vital evidence in court to establish whether an individual was operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs.

The other roles mentioned, such as administering breath tests, making arrests, or training law enforcement, while important aspects of law enforcement and DWI enforcement, do not specifically capture the unique function and specialized training of a DRE in evaluating drug impairment.