The first DRE laboratory validation study was known as the _____.

The first DRE laboratory validation study is known as the John Hopkins Study. This study, which took place in the early 1990s, was pivotal in establishing standardized methods for drug recognition evaluations. It focused on validating the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) program by examining the relationships between observed signs and symptoms of drug impairment and the corresponding findings from physiological testing, blood analysis, and other methods. This foundational research provided a scientific basis for the DRE protocol, helping law enforcement officers effectively recognize and assess drug impairment in drivers. The study is significant in that it set the groundwork for further research and the expansion of DRE training programs within the field of traffic safety and drug enforcement.