New York State Stop-Dwi Foundation

The outreach and training program is composed of several uniquely designed components with the common objective of touching the lives of a wide variety of people across New York State. This objective is primarily met by partnering with several sports and entertainment venues to promote the mission and "have a plan" message, having a comprehensive social media prescence, having traveling exhibits present at various events, and the development of a mobile app. The program also provides for participation at national conferences and securing speakers and instructors to speak to targeted audiences or train those in law enforcement or other attendees.

The high visibility engagement campaign is designed to develop and coordinate comprehensive enforcement efforts across New York State. The enforcement efforts include saturation patrols and checkpoints to detect and arrest impaired drivers. The program also reimburses New York counties for time spent by those certified by the drug enforcement program when they are called out to support an action or investigation.

The drug recognition program trains and certifies those in law enforcement and other attendees in detecting when someone is driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol.

The statutes defining the offenses of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and the procedures for arrest and testing are 40 years old. Advances in science and technology, interpreting court decisions and the legalization of cannabis, require a re-evaluation of their functionality and effectiveness. This grant will provide policymakers an analytical report on impaired driving definition, arrest and testing with recommendations to maximize effectiveness.