Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
60 Minutes
Session 22
Overview of
Signs and Symptoms
Drug Recognition Expert Course
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
Learning Objectives
• Describe the possible effects that may
be observed in each major indicator of
drug impairment.
• Identify the effects that will most likely
be observed with subjects under the
influence of each drug category.
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-2
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
DRE Major and General Indicators
• Major Indicators: Physiological
Indicators
• General Indicators: Observational and
Behavioral Indicators
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-3
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
Major Physiological Indicators of
Drug Impairment
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus
Vertical Gaze Nystagmus
Lack of Convergence
Pupil Size
Reaction to Light
Pulse Rate
Blood Pressure
Body Temperature
Muscle Tone
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-4
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
Possible Effects: HGN
• Possible effects that might be observed
with Nystagmus
• With Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, there
are only two possible effects that might
be observed
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-5
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
Possible Effects: VGN
What are the possible effects we might
observe with Vertical Gaze Nystagmus?
• With Vertical Gaze Nystagmus, there are
also only two possible effects
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-6
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
Possible Effects: LOC
What effects might we observe with Lack
of Convergence?
• For Lack of Convergence, there are also
only two possible effects
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-7
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
Possible Effects: Pupil Size
What effects might we observe with
Pupil Size?
• For Pupil Size, there are three
possible effects
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-8
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
Possible Effects: Pupil Size
What effects might we observe with the
pupils’ Reaction to Light?
• There are three effects that might
be observed in the pupils’ Reaction
to Light
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-9
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
Possible Effects: Vital Signs
For each of the Vital Signs, there are three
possible effects:
• The pulse rate, or blood pressure, or
body temperature could be Normal
(within the DRE average ranges)
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-10
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
Possible Effects: Muscle Tone
What effects might we observe with
muscle tone?
• There are three possible effects that
might be seen
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-11
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
CNS Depressant Effects
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-12
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
CNS Stimulant Effects
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-13
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
Hallucinogen Effects
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-14
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
Dissociative Anesthetic Effects
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-15
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
Narcotic Analgesic Effects
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-16
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
Inhalant Effects
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-17
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
Cannabis Effects
Drug Recognition Expert Course
22-18
Session 22 – Overview of Signs and Symptoms
QUESTIONS?
Drug Recognition Expert Course