With the state lawmakers clearing the way for medical cannabis to be legal in Kentucky starting January 1, 2025, the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office is preparing for any potential issues that may arise, such as an increase in driving under the influence (DUI). Precautionary steps include training every deputy on detecting drug effects on drivers and adding a certified phlebotomist to ensure timely blood draws.
According to the most current data available in the annual Kentucky Traffic Collision Report produced by the Kentucky State Police in 2022, 744 people were killed in 693 fatal traffic collisions on Kentucky’s roadways. Of those deaths, 265 were due to drivers under the influence of drugs and 153 were due to drivers under the influence of alcohol.
“The data shows that almost twice as many highway collision deaths were caused by motorists under the influence of drugs than were under the influence of alcohol,” Sheriff Brad Youngman said. “Marijuana was the most common drug found and accounted for 40% of the drugs used.”
Shortly after the passage of Senate Bill 47 in 2023, DCSO began scheduling training for each patrol deputy to become certified in Advanced Roadside Impairment Driving Enforcement (ARIDE). ARIDE trains deputies to detect not just alcohol impairment, but also the effects of drugs on a suspected intoxicated driver.
The ARIDE course consists of seven areas of training: standard field sobriety rest review, the seven major drug categories, signs and symptomology, physiology of drugs, drug combinations, courtroom testimony, and report writing.
“Speaking with our law enforcement partners from states that already have relaxed marijuana laws, whether it is medicinal or recreational, we know that DUIs are one of the things we will most likely see an increase in,” Youngman said. “However, marijuana DUIs differ from alcohol DUIs and to be able to successfully prosecute a marijuana DUI there are certain specific things that need to be done during the evidence collection phase of our investigation. This is where having ARIDE-certified deputies makes a big difference.”
As of July 2024, all DCSO patrol deputies have been certified in ARIDE. Deputies were sent in small groups to the 2-day course, which was held in various parts of the state. Daviess County Fiscal Court provided additional training funds for the 2024 DCSO budget for this effort, and Captain Duane Harper, Patrol Division Commander, coordinated with the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety to ensure that deputies could attend every class that was held.
Additionally, DCSO Corporal Jacob Gould recently completed training to be certified as a Law Enforcement Phlebotomist (LEP).
Youngman said LEPs are a new concept for law enforcement, and currently Kentucky is one of only 12 states that authorize law enforcement officers to perform phlebotomist duties. Gould received his certification after completing an 80-hour course at KY Healthcare Training in Lexington and 40 hours of clinicals, which included 50 successful blood draws.
Gould was in the pilot LEP class for Kentucky law enforcement officers and is one of only four certified LEPs in Kentucky. He also serves as the team leader of the DCSO Tactical Emergency Medical Support Unit and is a registered Emergency Medical Technician.
“Having an LEP on staff allows more flexibility for deputies when they arrest a DUI suspect and need blood drawn as evidence,” Youngman said. “It also mitigates common issues deputies encounter such as difficulty in finding someone to draw blood samples in a timely manner, and reliance on non-law enforcement parties during a critical part of the DUI arrest. While the program is new to Kentucky, DCSO wanted to be on the front end of implementing this capability as it further ensures that we will be ready for any potential issues that arise from the implementation of medical cannabis.”
The LEP training curriculum is licensed by the Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education and Certified by ASHI Health & Safety Instructors, the National Health Career Association, and the American Heart Association.
“With the preparations we have taken, I feel strongly that we are in the best shape we can be to confront these upcoming challenges,” Youngman said. “Detection and evidence collection will be the keys to successful prosecution when the time comes. We have a very active and eager staff that is committed to keeping Daviess County roadways safe. And while I hope we don’t see an increase in DUIs, I personally appreciate the efforts made by Captain Harper and Corporal Gould to help this office prepare just in case.”
