Roadside Drug Testing Expands Statewide

For the last year, Michigan State Police have been piloting a new roadside oral fluid analysis in several counties- today (10/1) the program goes statewide.

Originally starting in Berrien, Delta, Kent, St. Clair, and Washtenaw Counties; the program allowed Drug Recognition Experts (or D.R.E.’s) to implement a roadside test of fluids found in a driver’s mouth.

Lieutenant Shannon Sims from the Michigan State Police Field Operations Bureau adds that with Michigan’s Legalization of Marijuana tests need to be quick and more readily available.

The program’s statewide expansion will be increasing from 31 to more than 100 D.R.E.’s statewide.

The tests will include a swab of the mouth among the 12 other identification steps taken by police previously, to look for the presence of substances.

Currently the test looks for amphetamines, benzodiazepines, Cannabis (Delta-9 THC), Cocaine, methamphetamines, and opiates in drivers.