Oral Fluid Drug Screening Devices Pilot Project

Roadside drug testing could be a good tool to help law enforcement officers detect the presence of a drug and remove drivers under the influence from the road.

From December 2016 to March 17, Public Safety Canada, the RCMP and seven law enforcement agencies across Canada (Toronto Police Service, Vancouver Police Department, Ontario Provincial Police, Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau, Halifax Regional Police Service, RCMP North Battleford Detachment, RCMP Yellowknife Detachment), conducted a pilot project to test how well officers are able to use roadside drug testing devices on drivers under different weather conditions. Prior testing has shown that the devices work well in detecting the presence of cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine and opioids.

This project has helped to determine that roadside oral fluid drug screening devices have potential for use in drug-driving enforcement in Canada.

As well, the results will help assist in the development of national standards to help ensure a comprehensive approach for the use of drug screening devices in the enforcement of driving under the influence of drugs in Canada.

For more information

• News Release: Drug Screening Device Pilot Project receives positive reviews from police
• Final Report on the Oral Fluid Drug Screening Device Pilot Project