Halifax police test 'drugalyzers' before pot legalization

Halifax police are testing a new tool to nab drivers suspected of being impaired by drugs.

Canadian police forces may soon be armed with the "drugalyzers," as they've been nicknamed. They'll use those to test whether drivers are high from cannabis, opioids, cocaine or other drugs.

Halifax Regional Police is one of several police forces across the country taking part in a national pilot project announced earlier this week by the federal public safety minister. 

Two different roadside devices that collect saliva and analyze it for signs of recent drug use are being shipped to Halifax. Also, an officer has just returned from training in Ottawa, said Supt. Robin McNeil, who heads up the patrol division for HRP.

"This is an exciting opportunity for us to be a part of the project," McNeil said. "From an east coast perspective, Halifax is happy to participate."

Surviving Canadian winters

Canadian police officers will be trying out devices manufactured by Alere and Securetec to see how they hold up in a Canadian winter and if they're easy to use, particularly at night during a roadside check.

Saliva testing devices are already used in Australia, the United Kingdom and in parts of Europe.

With the legalization of marijuana on the horizon, MADD Canada has been lobbying for the introduction of the devices here.

Anissa Aldridge, director of the Atlantic region, said she's pleased HRP has been selected for the pilot project.

MADD welcomes the 'drugalyzer'

She said testing the devices "in the hope of being equipped with them in the near future is very positive news." 

In its 2015 report card on impaired driving, MADD gave Nova Scotia a 'D' grade and New Brunswick a 'F' and called for legislative changes for drug-impaired drivers. The group said the two Maritime provinces lag behind the rest of the country as the only ones that don't have some kind of roadside licence suspension for drivers who are high.

"We're eager to see changes that will make our roadways safer," said Aldridge.

Currently police officers are limited to drug sobriety tests such as asking drivers to touch their nose or walk straight on a line. Some officers have specialized training to catch small movements of the eye as signs of drug impairment.

But courts don't always accept those results as proof of someone driving while high.

Looking for volunteers

The drugalyzer is a third tool — and it doesn't rely on an officer's subjective assessment.

McNeil said the goal is not to test whether the devices work, because that's already proven.

Each of the devices will need to be tested 100 times. That will require volunteers, which could take some persuasion.

Can't use in court

McNeil said they're not out to catch high drivers during the pilot program.

"There's nothing in law that now allows us to use this evidence in a criminal process," he said.

"We will be screening those candidates who put up their hand and say I will volunteer for this at the roadside check."

It's unclear how long it will take to collect enough drugalyzer samples.

Volunteers will remain anonymous and their names and data will not be shared with Ottawa, McNeil said.

McNeil said he hopes to finalize a plan for the program next week. The devices may be tested as early as this holiday season.

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