Nebraska's Drug-Impaired Driving Problem: It's Getting Worse
So, here's the deal: Nebraska's got a serious problem with drug-impaired driving. It's not just the usual drunk driving suspects – although those are still a concern, with average BACs for those arrested clocking in at a whopping .167%! No, we're seeing a huge surge in drivers high on drugs. And that's where Drug Recognition Experts, or DREs, become absolutely vital.
The Numbers Don't Lie (and They're Scary)
Nationwide, drunk driving arrests are actually going down. But drug-impaired driving arrests? They're exploding. Lieutenant Joe Milos, a DRE with 31 years under his belt, has seen this firsthand. He says cannabis is the biggest culprit in Nebraska, followed by stimulants and depressants. He shakes his head and says, “There’s this crazy myth that weed makes you a better driver. Studies show the exact opposite is true.”
It’s kind of unsettling, you know? You’d think people would be more responsible. But I guess not everyone gets the message. It's enough to make you want to stay home every time you get in a car.
Becoming a DRE: It Ain't Easy
Becoming a DRE isn’t a walk in the park. In fact, it's the only law enforcement certification that requires a perfect score on the exams. Think about that for a second. Perfect. Score. That's intense. Lt. Milos's three decades of experience really put things in perspective, showing just how much this problem is growing. And with all these unregulated products like Delta-8 popping up, it's only getting worse.
DREs: Beyond the Road
Now, you might hear “DRE” and think of drug recognition, which is totally valid. But it turns out “DRE” pops up in other places, too! For instance, Andre “Sugar Dre” Donovan recently won a boxing championship – talk about a different kind of knockout! Then there’s the upcoming movie, “Heads of State,” which uses Dr. Dre’s music to highlight this theme of unlikely alliances. It’s kind of a cool parallel to how DREs work with other law enforcement agencies to fight impaired driving.
The Bottom Line: We Need More DREs
Drug-impaired driving is a real and growing threat in Nebraska and across the country. These highly trained DREs are our front line of defense, identifying and getting these dangerous drivers off the road. Their expertise is crucial, and we need to support their work. It's not just about catching drivers; it's about protecting lives. Raising awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs is just as important as having the DREs on the force. It's a two-pronged approach we need to tackle this head-on.
