Legislature for roadside drug tests should become law
Maintaining safety on Michigan roads is, and rightfully should be, one of the highest priorities of public safety for state lawmakers.
The proposal to allow police officers to use a portable drug test kit on drivers suspected of driving under the influence is something that should be approved through the state Senate and put into action as soon as possible.
Just like portable breathalyzers for alcohol intoxication, this device, which the Detroit Free Press reports can run over 500 drug tests in five to 10 minutes, would allow police officers to quickly determine whether a driver is intoxicated and take appropriate action immediately.
It would be hard to find many people who would argue against laws and methods discouraging drivers from swerving, speeding and disregarding traffic laws because they decided to get high and drive to Taco Bell.
As with any situation of police officers on patrol being given more power and authority, the law must be specifically tailored to keep the law from being abused or taken advantage of. The law, as currently written, would allow only the driver to be tested in this manner, if there is reason to believe they are under the influence of drugs. Making sure these tests are administered correctly and responsibly is paramount.
However, not much information is available about the devices that would be used to test for drugs. Breathalyzer tests are known to be a reliable way to determine whether an individual has been drinking.
These devices need to be rigorously tested at every level, on every drug they are proclaimed to detect, by state authorities and private organizations. One would hope that, with the legislature passing through the state house and already in the senate, that rigorous testing has already been done, and the findings will soon be released to the public.
The country will have its eyes on our state if these devices are put into use.
There is little doubt that the first case of somebody being charged due to a roadside drug test will be contested in court. How effective the tests are, how conclusive the evidence is and how willing judges and juries are to stand by the evidence provided by these devices in Michigan could determine the future of drug enforcement methods for the entire country.
