News

This bill covers a lot of DUI terrritory:  from Superior Court jurisdiction in DUI cases (now 5 years) to expanding DUI courts (now allowed in Municipal Courts) to expanded Ignition Interlock coverage and users fees, to revising the definition of "drug" to include inhalants and new novel chemicals of abuse.  The bill was a high priority for the Impaired driving section---but credit for its passage goes to a great group of committed folks.  Many thanks to everyone for their dedication and heroic efforts to keep this bill from dying when it really looked dark!!

 

The full text of the bill is here.

 

Below is the message from the prime Sponsor, Rep. Roger Goodman:

 

Great news!  This evening, with fewer than six hours remaining in the 2012 session, the State Senate finally took up our DUI bill and approved it by a vote of 49-0; and a few moments ago we just voted 98-0 here in the House to approve the final bill and send it to the Governor!  Below you will find a staff summary of the Senate amendments to the bill.

Thanks VERY much to each of you, from the Washington State Patrol to MADD to our colleagues in the justice system, for your strong advocacy that helped loosen up the bill in the last minute to get it passed before we adjourn.  Thanks also for your substantive input that helped us fashion such a strong piece of legislation.  Once enacted into law, HB 2443 will further save lives and reduce injuries on our roadways.  We should feel very gratified with our success.

Once again, thank you all!

 

Roger Goodman

State Representative, 45th District

Washington State Legislature

office:  360-786-7878

email:   goodman.roger@leg.wa.gov

In HB 2216, the legislature unanimously increased penalties for felony DUI defendants who kill.  The bill now goes to the governor for signature.  The bill increases penalties from the prior standard range of 31-41 months for a Level 9, to that equivalent to the Level 11 Manslaughter range, 78-101 months.   This means a minimum jail sentence of 6.5 years for DUI defendants who kill. 

Special thanks to Amy Freedheim, King County Prosecutor's Office, for her support and advocacy!   A shout out also to MADD and the many victims of DUI who provided countless hours in support of this important law.  

The bill, as passed, is here.

The Drug Enforcement Agency's "Microgram" regarding unusual drug evidence and cases is attached here. 

Effective March 1, 2012, the Canadian Border Service permits border agents the discretion to admit Americans with only 1 DUI and less than six months jail ordered, into Canada. 

The new "Tourism Facilitation Action Plan" does not change Canadian law, only how border agents are expected to enforce it.  The new policy applies to all limited criminal background (not just DUI), requires some additional paperwork processing for U.S. citizens, but will not require a fee.  Canadian tourism and businesses in general cheer the more liberal interpretation--having been hit hard by the strict post-9/11 laws.      To see Operational Bulletin 389, go here.  To see an article on the new policy go here. 

One chapter of the new text "Forensic Medicine" is on Cannabinoids.  The chapter is a very comprehensive review of current literature on marijuana and other cannabinoids.  The book is open source, so the chapter is here.  The entire book may be viewed and downloaded here.

                     

Concern is high regarding the new aerosol delivery method for caffeine by Aeroshot.  See ad here.

 Photo of aerosol caffeine dispenser - Aeroshot.

Several near deaths occured in Washington in 2011 when students drank the caffeine/alcohol combination in a "Four Locos" drink.  The interaction between large doses of caffeine and alcohol is not a well researched area--but it has proved a very dangerous combination for youth.   The new product poses dangers similar to that in Four Locos.  Without the bother of drinking a beverage slowly, the user can get the equivelent of six cups of coffee within a few minutes from a single Aeroshot for about $2.99 at the local gas station. 

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York wants the FDA to review AeroShot, saying he fears it will be used as a club drug that young people will take to allow them to drink until they drop.

CBS Article

ICADTS, the International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety, provides a view on how other countries address various aspects of impaired driving. 

Of particular interest in this issue is the current per se limit for the European Union--now adopted in Ireland.   BAC levels have dropped from 0.08 BAC to 0.05 in Ireland (consistent with the remaining EU except GB).   Also, learners and commercial drivers are at 0.02 BAC.   Drivers who cannot present a valid permit are also subject to the lower 0.02 BAC level. 

See the full newsletter: ICADTS_23_1_Winter_2012.pdf

 

The Role and Impact of Forensic Evidence in the Criminal Justice System

Tom McEwen, PhD

Institute for Law and Justice, Inc.; 2010

Download the report here.  

A new drug on the internet markets is "Zannie."  The drug is delivered with a tongue-in-cheek claim that it is an aersol "air freshener."  In fact, it is designed for internal use.  Ad link is here.

The active ingredient is phenazepam.  This drug is not a controlled substance-so expect it to show up in the usual head shops and corner stores.   Phenazepam's effect is similar to bezodiazepam, except Pheazepam is about 10X as strong.   A typical dose in is the .2 ng range.  Most user's scales are unable to quantify at this level, so users often just guess on dosage.  Overdose is a big concern with this drug.

The drug has a very long potency, although its hard to determine how long because a major effect of the drug is amnesia.  (Which is why OD is a concern).  One user admits he burned through 200 ng over several days because he continued to use while he was high--but cannot remember much after his second dosing.  He does remember destroying various personal items, including his laptop.  The link to the comment is here. 

The January 2012 Newsletter is attached HERE: