(left to right) Sgt. Michael Popovics (DRE Instructor), Trooper Bob Church, Trooper John Fanning, Trooper Joe Keefe, Trooper T.J. Tudryn, Trooper Dave Walsh, Trooper Sean Reardon, Trooper Paul Conneely, Trooper Matt Simpson, and Trooper Michael Guerriero (DRE Instructor).

Pictured after a recent Drug Recognition Expert class are (left to right) Sgt. Michael Popovics (DRE Instructor), Trooper Bob Church, Trooper John Fanning, Trooper Joe Keefe, Trooper T.J. Tudryn, Trooper Dave Walsh, Trooper Sean Reardon, Trooper Paul Conneely, Trooper Matt Simpson, and Trooper Michael Guerriero (DRE Instructor).

Troopers Attend Drug Recognition Expert Class

Several state troopers are undergoing Drug Recognition Expert training, a program that is an important part of the Department of State Police mission to combat impaired drivers. A drug recognition expert (DRE ) is trained to recognize impairment in drivers who are under the influence of drugs. DRE training consists of a three-day pre-schooling course, a seven-day DRE school, and 12 hands-on evaluations where the DRE must identify at least three different drug categories successfully according to accepted standards.

A trained DRE can, by recognizing specific drug-induced characteristics, further determine which of seven categories of drugs the driver used. The categories are depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, dissociative anesthetics, narcotic analgesics, inhalants, and cannabis. The evaluation process on a suspected drugged driver is standardized and systematic. It includes psychophysical tests, as well as examination of the suspect's eyes, vital signs and muscle tone.