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Prince Albert on the list for new drug-impaired testing kit

Nov 23, 2018 | 4:00 PM

Prince Albert is on the list to receive a new drug testing machine next year, one of several to be rolled out around the province following the legalization of marijuana in October.

The provincial government confirmed this week that Prince Albert will receive one of six drug testing kits, or Oral Fluid Testing Devices, early in 2019. The testing kits will also be distributed to Regina, Moose Jaw, Estevan, Saskatoon and Weyburn.

Nine kits will also be given to RCMP for use throughout Saskatchewan, the province said. Money for the kits comes from the federal government, the province said.

The federal government has approved the Drager DrugTest 5000 for use by police forces in Canada.

Jon Bergen, acting chief of the Prince Albert Police Service, has said the kits pose some challenges. The Prince Albert Police Service said this week that the service is not currently using a drug testing kit, but are relying on officers trained in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and Drug Recognition Experts.

Since legalization was introduced last month, the police service said two tickets have been issued and one person has been charged with driving while impaired by cannabis.

 

With files from Ron Quaroni

 

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt