What is the primary purpose of the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) program?

The primary purpose of the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) program is to determine impairment due to drug use. This program is designed to train law enforcement officers in recognizing the signs and symptoms of drug influence, enabling them to perform evaluations that ascertain whether a person is under the influence of drugs while operating a vehicle.

The program ultimately equips officers with the skills necessary to conduct thorough assessments, including a series of standardized tests and evaluations, to analyze the effects of various substances on an individual's physical and cognitive capabilities. This determination of impairment is crucial for ensuring road safety and addressing driving under the influence offenses.

While identifying prescription drugs, analyzing drug composition, and enforcing drug laws are important aspects of drug-related law enforcement, they are not the primary focus of the DRE program. The essence of the program lies in the ability to assess if a person is impaired by drugs, which is crucial for effective traffic safety enforcement.