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Drug “Breathalyzer” Bill Shot Down In Committee

California lawmakers rejected a proposal that would allow police officers to give roadside drug “breathalyzer” tests in order to identify high drivers.


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Assembly Bill 1356, authored by Assemblyman Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale, would have allowed police officers to use a device similar to a breathalyzer, but instead of measuring blood alcohol levels, it would detect drugs in the driver’s system.

The bill was rejected by a 2-1 vote in the Public Safety Committee with four abstentions. Lackey called the bill’s defeat “a setback for roadway safety,” on Tuesday.

“Officers have numerous tools to deal with drunk drivers but lack the equivalent for drugs,” said Lackey, a 28-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol, in a news release. “Better tools for law enforcement have allowed us to cut down on drunk driving. We need to pursue the same strategy for drugged driving which is unfortunately rapidly increasing.”

The bill had support from law enforcement organizations but was opposed by defense attorneys and the Drug Policy Alliance.

“I hope California will have the courage to act in the future,” Lackey said, “but today was clearly a setback for roadway safety.”

The bill comes as groups are proposing measures to legalize marijuana on the 2016 ballot. AB 1356 will be reconsidered in January of 2016.

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KHTS AM 1220 - Santa Clarita Radio

Drug “Breathalyzer” Bill Shot Down In Committee

One comment

  1. the Drug “Breathalyzer” will help make the highways safer. vested marijuana supporters should be able to seethat. might save a family memjbers life. tim buckley

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About Heather Harbin

Heather grew up in the Santa Clarita Valley and graduated from West Ranch High School in 2012. She recently graduated from College of the Canyons with an Associate's Degree in New Media Journalism. She was involved in College of the Canyons' "Cougar News" for two years, where she became the senior producer. She will be studying for her Bachelor's Degree at Cal State Northridge in the spring. Heather became a staff writer at KHTS AM-1220 following her internship in the newsroom. She has been writing news and feature articles for the KHTS website since May 2015.