Driving impaired by medicines as dangerous as driving drunk

(This story was originally published for NCC News at Syracuse University. View the original story.)

(Photo by Matt Porter)

Matt Porter, NCC News

People driving drugged now easier to catch, Police say

Five years ago if you were driving akwardly and looked sluggish (but not drunk), Officer Robert Boris would pull you over and not be able to find any violation in the law. But now, he can identify signs that a driver may be taking drugs, illegal or legal, that are impairing his or her ability to drive.

"Just because you are prescribed a medication," says Officer Boris, "doesn't mean you can drive with that medication."

In fact, Officer Boris says that if you are found impaired under the influence of any drug, from cocaine to Tylenol, you can be charged to the full extent of the law. It's just until now, Police have had a much more difficult time identifying when someone is "driving drugged."

In 2005, Officer Boris became one of four Syracuse Police Officers to receive training to specifically identify people under the influence of drugs. According to a recent New York Times report, there are only 7,000 "drug recognition officers" across the country like Officer Boris.

Since he's had the training, Officer Boris says he hasn't lost a single case in court.


On why it's so easy:

"The attorney's know that we know what we're talking about," says Officer Boris, "my [success] rate is 98 or 99 percent."

What is the charge?

In Syracuse, the charge is known as a "D.W.A.I. by drugs" which stands for: Driving With Ability Impaired by Drugs. It doesn't matter what the drug. The punishments are equivalent to a D.U.I. Penalties can include, but are not limited to:

• Fines (250 to 1000 dollars)
• Suspension of License
• Prison sentences (Five years or more)

Officer Boris says the law is serious because "you're putting yourself in danger, you're putting everyone else in danger, it's just not worth it."

How to know when you shouldn't drive?

Pharmacist Christine Camille says people should not drive or do anything after taking a new medication, whether it's over the counter or prescription. Camille says over the counter medications, particularly antihistamines like Benadryl and Zyrtec can make people drowsy or sluggish.

She says patients should take it easy the rest of the day at home, and if they can't do that, wait until the evening to test new medicines because side-effects like drowsiness may not take effect right away.

"If the prescription is time released," says Camille, "you could have [side-effects] six hours later, twelve hours later."

Camille also warns patients not to mix prescriptions unless prescribed to do so, and to avoid mixing alcohol with any medicine. Alcohol, she says, suppresses the central nervous system and can have an adverse effect on many drugs.

As for Officer Boris, he says people need to take it easy when trying new drugs, and also to read labels closely.

"The red tag says do not operate heavy machinery," says Officer Boris, "a car is that."

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