Massachusetts gets $20,000 grant to train police on drugged driving

drugged driving

California Highway Patrol Officer Gary Martens, right, has CHP Sgt. Jaimi Kenyon, follow his finger during a demonstration of how drivers, suspected of impaired driving, are tested. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)AP

Massachusetts received a $20,000 federal grant to train law enforcement to identify and stop drug-impaired driving.

The ability to stop people from driving under the influence of drugs is expected to become a major issue as people are able to buy marijuana legally under Massachusetts state law. The first marijuana stores are just starting to open, but there is not yet any kind of standard test to identify drugged drivers, the way there is with alcohol.

The grant was awarded by the Governors Highway Safety Association with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Massachusetts will use the money to implement a training program managed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police called Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement training. The course will teach police officers how to identify, test and arrest drivers who are affected by alcohol and drugs, including opioids and marijuana.

GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins said in a statement, “Drugged driving is a growing concern on our roads, and increased training for police officers who are able to detect and evaluate this behavior is very valuable.”

Grants also went to Delaware, Guam, Kentucky, Oklahoma and West Virginia.