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DUIs also include prescription drugs
Former candidate faces charges
By KELLY NIX
The Salinas Californian
Monday, January 19, 2004
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Alcohol and illegal drugs aren't the only things that can impair safe driving. Prescription drugs can, too -- and the penalties are just as severe.
Charges filed last week against Monterey County Sheriff's Deputy Stephen Sapiro highlight the risk involved in driving while under their influence.
"Drugs are drugs," said Salinas police Sgt. Bob Eggers. "Whether it's legal or illegal, it doesn't matter to us."
Sapiro, a former candidate for sheriff, was impaired by a type of benzodiazepine -- which has a tranquilizing effect -- in November when his truck struck a car turning from Salinas Avenue onto Reservation Road, county prosecutors say.
The other driver was critically injured, and her three children were treated for minor injuries.
Managing Deputy District Attorney Ed Hazel said about 5 percent to 10 percent of DUI charges filed in the county target those who drove while under the influence of legal or illegal drugs.
"That could be from Valium to marijuana to methamphetamine," Hazel said Friday.
Depending on several factors, charges can be misdemeanors or felonies. Penalties range from probation to prison, he said.
Because Sapiro also was charged with a multiple-victim enhancement, he faces a maximum of six years in prison if convicted. He has been on paid administrative leave since the accident.
Eggers said well-intentioned motorists often are oblivious to the dangers of driving while under the influence of a prescription medication.
"You could have back surgery and be issued a pain killer and think you are legal," he said. "And next thing you know you are pulled over for driving under the influence.
"If it impairs your ability, you can't do it."
Patty Nguyen, a pharmacist at Longs Drug at 1140 S. Main St., said patients are warned of the dangers of driving and using strong prescription drugs such as Vicodin, Valium, Xanax and Codeine.
"We counsel them and tell them that this medication may cause you to be drowsy," Nguyen said. "We always tell them they should not drive, but some people say it's OK."
Sticker labels placed on the pill bottles also warn patients of drowsiness, dizziness and the dangers of driving while using the medication, she said.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that only 15 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes had their blood-alcohol content tested, suggesting that the incidence of driving while impaired by alcohol or other drugs has been underestimated.
One reason is that many California Highway Patrol and police officers aren't trained to recognize people under the influence of drugs, Eggers said.
To counter that, a drug recognition expert or DRE is often called to a scene when an officer suspects someone is under the influence of a substance other than alcohol, he said.
After arresting a suspected DUI driver, police send a urine sample to a state Department of Justice lab where it's screened for drugs, Eggers said.
The Salinas Police Department only has one such certified expert, but Eggers said officials would like to hire more.
Originally published Monday, January 19, 2004
Source
Former candidate faces charges
By KELLY NIX
The Salinas Californian
Monday, January 19, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alcohol and illegal drugs aren't the only things that can impair safe driving. Prescription drugs can, too -- and the penalties are just as severe.
Charges filed last week against Monterey County Sheriff's Deputy Stephen Sapiro highlight the risk involved in driving while under their influence.
"Drugs are drugs," said Salinas police Sgt. Bob Eggers. "Whether it's legal or illegal, it doesn't matter to us."
Sapiro, a former candidate for sheriff, was impaired by a type of benzodiazepine -- which has a tranquilizing effect -- in November when his truck struck a car turning from Salinas Avenue onto Reservation Road, county prosecutors say.
The other driver was critically injured, and her three children were treated for minor injuries.
Managing Deputy District Attorney Ed Hazel said about 5 percent to 10 percent of DUI charges filed in the county target those who drove while under the influence of legal or illegal drugs.
"That could be from Valium to marijuana to methamphetamine," Hazel said Friday.
Depending on several factors, charges can be misdemeanors or felonies. Penalties range from probation to prison, he said.
Because Sapiro also was charged with a multiple-victim enhancement, he faces a maximum of six years in prison if convicted. He has been on paid administrative leave since the accident.
Eggers said well-intentioned motorists often are oblivious to the dangers of driving while under the influence of a prescription medication.
"You could have back surgery and be issued a pain killer and think you are legal," he said. "And next thing you know you are pulled over for driving under the influence.
"If it impairs your ability, you can't do it."
Patty Nguyen, a pharmacist at Longs Drug at 1140 S. Main St., said patients are warned of the dangers of driving and using strong prescription drugs such as Vicodin, Valium, Xanax and Codeine.
"We counsel them and tell them that this medication may cause you to be drowsy," Nguyen said. "We always tell them they should not drive, but some people say it's OK."
Sticker labels placed on the pill bottles also warn patients of drowsiness, dizziness and the dangers of driving while using the medication, she said.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that only 15 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes had their blood-alcohol content tested, suggesting that the incidence of driving while impaired by alcohol or other drugs has been underestimated.
One reason is that many California Highway Patrol and police officers aren't trained to recognize people under the influence of drugs, Eggers said.
To counter that, a drug recognition expert or DRE is often called to a scene when an officer suspects someone is under the influence of a substance other than alcohol, he said.
After arresting a suspected DUI driver, police send a urine sample to a state Department of Justice lab where it's screened for drugs, Eggers said.
The Salinas Police Department only has one such certified expert, but Eggers said officials would like to hire more.
Originally published Monday, January 19, 2004
Source
