IACP Impaired Driving and Traffic Safety (IDTS)
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IACP Impaired Driving and Traffic Safety (IDTS) Conference: On-Demand Sessions
Chicago, Illinois, August 4–6
Recorded sessions from the IACP IDTS Conference are now available.
Learn about effective and proven approaches for improving road safety, the latest science on alcohol and drug impaired driving enforcement, how technology can be leveraged to make communities safer, and how agencies can use traffic safety education to engage and build trust with their communities.
The IACP IDTS Conference is the largest training conference for drug recognition experts and traffic safety professionals. Conference attendees include DREs, law enforcement officers (state police, highway patrol, county, municipal, governmental, sheriffs, and other agencies), crash investigators, supervisors/administrators, prosecutors, toxicologists, laboratory personnel, traffic safety professionals, among others.
Recorded sessions include:
- Opening General Assembly
- Expert Prep for the Expert in All of Us
- Cops, Cannabis, and Chemical Testing
- How to Start and Maintain a DUI Task Force
- Beyond the Manuals—Why We Do What We Do
- Gabapentin and Diphenhydramine: Drugs in Impaired Driving that Toxicology Testing May Be Missing
- Alcohol + Anything = Everything: Unraveling the Complexity of Combination Cases
- SFSTs, Driving, and the Law—How to Effectively Tie Them Together for the Jury
- To Drink or Not to Drink? New Potentially Impairing Beverages on the Market
- Take a Deep Breath: Inhalant Case Studies
- Unmasking, Combating, and Quashing Red Herrings—Fortifying Impaired Driving Investigations
- The Great Impairment Imposters: When Medicine Mocks Intoxication
- Methamphetamine and Fentanyl: Toxicology Trends, DRE Evaluations, and Testimony
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Expert Prep for the Expert in All of Us
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Is it your first or 101st time preparing for court? Is the court to decide the admissibility of scientific
evidence at a hearing or are you going to trial where you will face cross examination or expert
qualification? Presenters will discuss points to help you and your agency get ready for court. The
speakers will explore leading practices, from investigation to the courtroom, focusing on expert
testimony preparation by providing materials and resources used around the country, as well as
revisiting the basics.
Cops, Cannabis, and Chemical Testing
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
How is cannabis absorbed into the body over time and when are consumers impaired? Extract-ED
conducts green labs for law enforcement training, where volunteers consume known amounts of
cannabis using combustion, edibles, drinks, and extracts. During these labs, Extract-ED collects
oral fluid and compares the active Delta-9 THC to the consumers' performance on Field Sobriety
Tests (FST). This session visualizes the data and information collected on cannabis consumers,
impairment, and performance on these FSTs
Beyond the Manuals—Why We Do What We Do
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
This session explores the physiological and scientific foundations of the procedures taught in the
DRE, SFST, and ARIDE manuals. Presenters will examine why alcohol causes bloodshot and watery
eyes, how contact lenses can affect the detection of nystagmus, why the Lack of Smooth Pursuit
test is conducted at a two-second pace, why subjects are tasked with an instruction position, and
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how these practices go beyond simply being standardized and systematic. By understanding these
nuances, attendees will learn to articulate their findings more effectively in the field, court, and
training. Through real-world examples and evidence-based insights, this session provides the tools
to confidently explain and defend impairment evaluations, enhancing credibility and effectiveness
across all settings.
How to Start and Maintain a DUI Task Force
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Impaired driving was a rampant problem in the five northern counties of Idaho—destination city,
Coeur d'Alene, was even labeled as the "Drunkest City" in Idaho by the CDC. Fatal crashes involving
impaired drivers were getting out of control, sentencings for offenders were less than ideal for
deterrence, and multi-agency efforts to face the problem were non-existent. In 2019, agencies from
across these counties banded their DUI teams together to create the North Idaho DUI Task Force. In
the last five years, the task force has seen incredible success in addressing the problem. The
successes of the program have been recognized nationally and internationally as a result of the
drastic decrease in impairment-related fatalities.
Alcohol + Anything = Everything: Unraveling the Complexity of Combination Cases
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Alcohol is one of the most widely used—and frequently misunderstood—substances, particularly
when it comes to impairment and its interactions with other drugs. This presentation takes a deep
dive into the complexities of alcohol's effects on the body and brain, exploring its role as a sedativehypnotic and the exponential impact it has when combined with other substances. Through
compelling case studies, scientific insights, and courtroom applications, this session highlights the
challenges of interpreting alcohol-combination impairment. Participants will gain a clearer
understanding of pharmacokinetics, the dangers of synergistic interactions, and why a 0.04 BAC in
the presence of other drugs should never be dismissed. Tailored for attorneys, law enforcement,
and forensic professionals, this presentation emphasizes the critical importance of collaboration
and thorough investigation in impaired driving cases. By weaving together real-world anecdotes and
actionable insights, attendees will leave with a stronger grasp of the science behind one of the most
common yet overlooked aspects of DUID casework—and the tools to navigate its complexities in the
courtroom and beyond
Gabapentin and Diphenhydramine: Drugs in Impaired Driving that Toxicology Testing May Be Missing
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Gabapentin is an antipsychotic prescription medication commonly used for seizures, neuralgia,
anxiety, and as a general sedative. Diphenhydramine is an over-the-counter antihistamine used for
allergy relief and as a sleep aid. As CNS depressants, effects similar to other depressants including
sedation and loss of coordination have been reported. Laboratories that include the drugs in their
testing have reported high prevalence. Interpretation of the effects of these drugs can be complex as
they are almost exclusively found in polysubstance cases. The clinical and behavioral effects will be
reviewed and illustrated through authentic cases. This is a SOFT/AAFS Drugs and Driving Committee
sponsored presentation
Methamphetamine and Fentanyl: Toxicology Trends, DRE Evaluations, and Testimony
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Methamphetamine and fentanyl are among the most frequently detected substances in DUID cases,
posing significant challenges for law enforcement and toxicology professionals. This session
explores the prevalence of these substances, focusing on detection in blood and oral fluid,
observable effects during DRE evaluations, and leading practices for courtroom testimony.
Attendees will gain insight into recent epidemiological data highlighting the surge in polysubstance
use, including fentanyl and methamphetamine. A seven-year evaluation of blood and oral fluid
concentrations and prevalence trends for methamphetamine and fentanyl—alone or in
combination—will be presented to illustrate patterns of use, including monthly monitoring.
Unmasking, Combating, and Quashing Red Herrings—Fortifying Impaired Driving Investigations
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Defense attorneys commonly ask irrelevant queries about our processes to divert a witness’s efforts
to provide actual evidence and facts. These ‘red herrings’ are deliberate efforts to change the focus
to immaterial matters and are designed to confuse and divert attention. These ‘muddying the water’
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techniques are powerful tools in the defense counselor’s arsenal—they create confusion, and seed
doubts in the minds of the trier of fact and potentially weaken the prosecution's case. This session
offers innovative information and strategic approaches to debunk, resist, and nullify red herrings. It
will allow the trier of fact to be vigilant and better focused on relevant evidence and testimony.
SFSTs, Driving, and the Law—How to Effectively Tie Them Together for the Jury
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
DUI cases are challenged by painting the SFSTs as confusing and by diminishing or excusing what
the officer is observing as not related to driving. To counter this, it is essential to effectively explain
to the jury the purpose of these tests and most importantly how they relate to driving skills.
Presenters will break down the various components of the SFSTs into simple terms and real-world
analogies that are applicable to driving, and most importantly how to testify in a way the jury will
make the most out of the officer's observations. The speakers will also share how to effectively
incorporate the law during testimony on SFSTs to tie the case together. The goal is to explain the
SFSTs in an easy-to-understand manner to help the jury understand the association between SFSTs
and an individual’s ability to drive safely.
Take a Deep Breath: Inhalant Case Studies
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
This presentation will be a case study on two inhalant cases which occurred within two months of
each other. Inhalant cases are very rare and sometimes hard to recognize if there is no evidence
immediately present. One of the case studies was a fatal crash—a fire hid some crucial evidence
which would have suggested inhalants were present and changed the course of the investigation.
The other case study deals with a suspect who was found in a vehicle using "dust off"—the arresting
deputy and the deputy who conducted the drug evaluation will present their case. The speakers will
present the case studies and give instruction on the inhalant category and lessons learned from
these cases. The presenters will also touch on the resurgence of inhalants.
To Drink or Not to Drink? New Potentially Impairing Beverages on the Market
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
To effectively identify and evaluate driving under the influence of drugs’ behaviors, it is important to
stay informed on emerging drug products. A new product called Sentia arrived on the market as an
“alcohol free” substitute. It is advertised as a “guilt free” mixer for cocktails without the negative
side-effects of alcohol. Such drink alternatives have also been designed for traditional drugs of
abuse such as marijuana. Wonder Water is a new seltzer containing delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC). It offers a new way for users to ingest THC and bypass some of the familiar signs (e.g., odor)
of marijuana. In this presentation, the speaker will discuss the source of these products, potential
pharmacological pathways, and possible effects to consumers.
The Great Impairment Imposters: When Medicine Mocks Intoxication
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
In law enforcement, recognizing impairment is a critical skill—but what happens when a medical
condition mimics intoxication? This engaging, scenario-based lecture will dive into compelling
cases where officers encountered individuals who appeared under the influence, only to later
discover an underlying medical emergency. Through interactive discussions, attendees will learn
how diabetic crises, strokes, seizures, neurological disorders, and even severe infections can
present with slurred speech, confusion, unsteady gait, and altered mental status—symptoms often
mistaken for drug or alcohol impairment. Using real-world case studies, participants will be
challenged to identify key red flags that distinguish medical crises from intoxication, equipping them
with practical strategies to make accurate assessments in the field. At the end of this session,
attendees will have a deeper understanding of the great impairment impostors and the vital role they
play in safeguarding both public safety and the well-being of those they encounter.