Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) School

Overview

This training relies heavily on the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which provide the foundation for the DRE Program. Once trained and certified, DREs become highly effective officers skilled in the detection and identification of persons impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. DREs are trained to conduct a systematic and standardized 12-step evaluation consisting of physical, mental, and medical components.

The training program is for those officers who have an extreme interest in the area of alcohol and drug-impaired driving. The school is sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and hosted by the Traffic Training Team.

Training is broken into three phases: classroom, certification and final knowledge exam. The classroom phase consists of 9-days of classroom training, all of which is mandatory. The certification phase immediately follows the classroom training. Certification training is scheduled over a 1-week period. The final knowledge exam is an all-encompassing exam, and attendance is mandatory in order to be certified as a DRE. 

Officers interested should be willing to dedicate a large amount of their time during the classroom and certification phases. Seating is limited, and officers interested should request to attend through their Agency Coordinators. An application will then be forwarded to them from the Agency DRE Coordinator.

Topics include:

• The involvement of drugs in impaired driving incidents

• The seven drug categories and their effects

• How to administer the psychophysical and physiological evaluations used in the drug evaluation and classification procedures

• Preparing a narrative drug influence evaluation report

• Procedures for testifying in typical drug evaluation and classification cases

• Injuries or illnesses that produces similar signs to alcohol/drug impairment

• Effects of polydrug use

• Drug use and the human body            

Prerequisite: Successful completion of SFST School and approval by commanding officer.

Attire, Costs and Other Requirements

Students must bring note taking materials.

Dress is professional casual.

There are no fees associated with this course.

Dates, Times and Location

Please pay special attention to the dates and times listed below.

Dates/Times: 

Classroom Phase: April 7-18, 2025 (1000-1800 hrs)

Certification Phase: April 22-25, 2025

Final Knowledge Exam: May 8, 2025 (0900-1700 hrs)

Location:  

Baltimore County Police Department

Training Section

7200 Sollers Point Road

Dundalk, MD 21222  

Registration

To register please contact your respective DRE Agency Coordinator. 

Along with registering through their coordinator, interested students must download, complete and email a DRE Training Application to tmorehouse@baltimorecountymd.gov.                     

View the DRE Training Application here: