This is an independent study, self-paced course for Florida law enforcement officers.
This course is designed as a bridge between Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) School to better prepare DRE candidates for the DRE School. We will review the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST) and introduce you to the eye exams and vital signs that a DRE will utilize during a drug influence evaluation. You will learn about additional drugs that are in the seven drug categories, as well as the DRE Matrix.
We will explain why a preliminary evaluation is necessary during the DRE evaluation and review the major systems of the human body during an overview of physiology. We will look at what happens when different drug categories are combined and the effects they have on the human body. You will observe a full DRE evaluation on an impaired subject.
Topics Include
- The DRE certification process
- Divided attention test review
- Eye examinations and vital signs
- The preliminary examination
- Introduction to physiology
- The seven drug categories
- DRE Matrix
- Drug combinations
- DRE evaluation
- Your curriculum vitae
Audience
This online, grant-funded course is restricted to Florida law enforcement officers interested in becoming a Drug Recognition Expert.
Course Length
8 hours
Prerequisite(s)
Successful completion of the 24-hour NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) and 16-hour NHTSA Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) courses.
Related Courses
Online Details
Online environment: This is an independent study, self-paced course. Although there are no specific times that you must be online, you will be required to complete assignments by the deadlines posted within the course. Instructors are available to answer your questions during each module via the help forum.
You should plan to dedicate approximately 8 hours to the course activities. You must be committed to the course and invest the time necessary for successful completion. The course must be completed within 30 days upon registration. Once the 30-day period has ended, you will no longer have access.
Registrations received between Sept. 1-15: This course will close on September 30 at 11:59 pm (est). All course work and the final evaluation must be completed by this time or you will not receive credit for the course, per FDOT Grant Funding Rules.
Computer requirements: You will complete the course entirely online. A dependable broadband internet connection with a Windows or Mac computer and Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download) are required.
What Our Students Are Saying
- “I liked the fact that the course was self-paced and very informative. The course really prepares the student for the upcoming class and what to expect. It touches on a little of everything that the course is about.” – Ofc. G.A.
- "The explanation of the DRE Matrix and the acronmyms was helpful. The module about the drug categories and their effects were intersting as well." – Ofc. A.L.
- "The videos were concise, easy to follow, and formatted in a manner that was easy to absorb information." – Ofc. R.H.
- "The explanations and the video aides really helped me to comprehend the information." – Ofc. G.H.
- "The presentation, quantity and explanation of topics was great. The course flowed very well from one lesson into another. There was a tremedous amount of information that was presented in a way that was not too overwhelming." – Ofc. M.S..
This course is not eligible for certificate discounts.