Marilyn A. Huestis, PhD, recently retired as chief of chemistry and drug metabolism at the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Drug Abuse but remains highly active in the field. She is a senior fellow at the Lambert Center for the Study of Medicinal Cannabis and Hemp at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pa. Here she explains how other nations do a better job of ensuring road safety than the US.

Key Points

• Australia since 2004 has conducted random stops. Screen with oral fluid, confirm with oral fluid.
• You are not allowed to have these drugs in your body when you drive. Series of penalties. Don’t base it on impairment.
• Europe way ahead of the US in oral fluid screening.
• Germany - Doctor observes impairment, draws blood on site.
• Police officers can take the sample.
• Point of Contact Testing (POCT) (taken right where you are)
• Roadside tests. Probable cause.
• Canada Drug Recognition Experts (DREs)

Next Up: Dr. Kuhar on Medical Marijuana