WSMV tv news takes on Shouse

Here is the story from last nights news in Nashville concerning community caretaking.  The newsletter will have more information on this story as soon as final edits are complete.


http://www.wsmv.com/story/26028620/judge-issues-ruling-about-how-officers-deal-with-passed-out-drivers

DRE School this week

Good luck to the men and women attending DRE School this week. This class is one of the most intense and difficult a law enforcement officer will ever attend. Those dedicated enough to persevere are highly motivated to respond to the issue of drugged driving.

In order to attend this school, there is a selection process that includes the endorsement of the local District Attorney.

This phase is conducted over nine days (72 class hours). It includes sessions in physiology, vital signs, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), and extensive information on each of the seven categories of the drugs of abuse. The training includes three written examinations, a SFST proficiency examination and five written quizzes. Students must achieve a minimum of 80% on the three examinations, and must demonstrate proficiency in administering SFST's in order to progress to the certification phase.

The final exam usually takes more than five hours.

Death Rates on Rural Roads

Ben Benton of the Chattanooga Times Free Press has captured information concerning rural road traffic fatalities in the nation, Tennessee and the Tri-State area around Chattanooga. We are not doing well in this area. A major part of the problem is seat belt use, speed and vehicles leaving the roadway. Trees, rocks and mountains are not forgiving to the driver who loses control. Read his article at:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2014/jul/15/deaths-rates-on-tri-state-rural-roads-among/

Alabama/Tennessee/West Virginia prescribe the most painkillers

Our pain patients bill of rights law means we will continue to be a  state of addiction. The impact on the roadways is clear.

Read about our problem and how we compare at:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/07/01/painkiller-prescription-rates-states/11898327