DRE School Glossary Terms

DRUG

The adjustment of the eyes for viewing at various distances. Meaning the pupils will
automatically constrict as objects move closer and dilate as objects move further away.

Habitual, psychological, and physiological dependence on a substance beyond one’s voluntary
control.

One mechanism of polydrug interaction. For a particular indicator of impairment, two drugs
produce an ______ ______ if they both affect the indicator in the same way. For example,
cocaine elevates pulse rate and PCP also elevates pulse rate.

A chemical that is found in, and can be physically extracted from, some substance. For
example, Morphine is a natural _______ of Opium. It does not require a chemical reaction to
produce Morphine from Opium.

A drug that relieves or allays pain.

A chemical that is very similar to the drug, both in terms of molecular structure and in terms of
psychoactive effects. For example, the drug Ketamine is an _______ of PCP.

One mechanism of polydrug interaction. For a particular indicator of impairment, two drugs
produce an antagonistic effect if they affect the indicator in opposite ways. For example,
Heroin constricts pupils while Cocaine dilates pupils. The combination of Heroin and Cocaine
produces an __________ effect on pupil size. Depending on how much of each drug was taken,
and on when they were taken, the suspect's pupils could be constricted, or dilated, or within
the DRE Average range of pupil size.

A drug that produces a general or local insensibility to pain and other sensation.

An abnormal heart rhythm

The strong, elastic blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

A motor nerve that carries messages to the muscles and organs that we do not consciously
control. There are two kinds of autonomic nerves, the sympathetic nerves and
parasympathetic nerves.

The part of a neuron (nerve cell) that sends out a neurotransmitter.

A hallucination where the user becomes panic‐stricken by what he/she is seeing or hearing,
and may become uncontrollably excited, or even try to flee from the terror.

The percentage of alcohol in a person’s blood

The percentage of alcohol in a person’s blood as measured by a breath testing device.

A condition characterized by the alteration of manic and depressive states.

The force exerted by blood on the walls of the arteries. _____ _______ changes continuously,
as the heart cycles between contraction and expansion.

Abnormally slow heart rate.

Abnormally slow rate of breathing

Grinding the teeth. This behavior is often seen in persons who are under the influence of
Cocaine or other CNS Stimulants.

This is the drug category that includes Marijuana. Marijuana comes primarily from the leaves
of certain species of _______ plants that grow readily all over the temperate zones of the
earth. Hashish is another drug in this category, and consists of the compressed leaves from
female ________ plants. The active ingredient in both Marijuana and Hashish is a chemical
called delta‐9 tetrahydrocannabinol, usually abbreviated THC.

A metabolite of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

A system within the body consisting of the brain, the brain stem, and the spinal cord.

Abnormal pattern of breathing. Marked by breathlessness and deep, fast breathing.

One of the seven drug categories. CNS Depressants include alcohol, barbiturates, anti‐anxiety
tranquilizers, and numerous other drugs.

One of the seven drug categories. CNS Stimulants include Cocaine, the Amphetamines, Ritalin,
Desoxyn, and numerous other drugs.

An inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids caused by
infection, allergy, or outside factors. May be bacterial or viral. Persons suffering from
conjunctivitis may show symptoms in one eye only. This condition is commonly referred to as
"pink eye", a condition that could be mistaken for the bloodshot eyes produced by alcohol or
Cannabis.

The "crossing" of the eyes that occurs when a person is able to focus on a stimulus as it is
pushed slowly toward the bridge of their nose.

Cocaine base, appears as a hard chunk form resembling pebbles or small rocks. It produces a
very intense, but relatively short duration "high".

A written summary of a person's education, training, experience, noteworthy achievements
and other relevant information about a particular topic.

A manifestation of impairment due to certain drugs, in which the person alternates between
periods (or cycles) of intense agitation and relative calm. _____ _____, for example,
sometimes will be observed in persons under the influence of PCP.

A brief state characterized by incoherent excitement, confused speech, restlessness, and
possible hallucinations

The part of a neuron (nerve cell) that receives a neurotransmitter.

A condition that can result in insulin shock (taking too much insulin) which may produce
tremors, increased blood pressure, rapid respiration, lack of coordination, headache,
confusion, and seizures.

The chemical name for Heroin.

Double vision.

The lowest value of blood pressure. The blood pressure reaches its diastolic value when the
heart is fully expanded, or relaxed.

One of the seven drug categories. Includes drugs that inhibits pain by cutting off or
disassociating the brain's perception of pain. PCP and its analogs are considered ______ ______.

Concentrating on more than one thing at a time. The four psychophysical tests used by DREs
require the suspect to ______ their _______.

An effect that may occur when the body reacts to the presence of a drug by producing
hormones or neurotransmitters to counteract the effects of the drug consumed.

An individual who successfully completed all phases of the DRE training requirements for
certification established by the IACP and NHTSA. The word “evaluator,” “technician,” or similar
words may be used as a substitute for “expert,” depending upon locale or jurisdiction.

Slurred speech. Difficult, poorly articulated speech

An abnormal condition that prevents the affected person from properly estimating distances
linked to muscular movements.

A disorder of mood. Feelings of depression and anguish.

Shortness of breath.

The network of glands that do not have ducts and other structures. They secrete hormones into the blood stream to affect a number of functions in the body.

A person skilled in some art, trade, science or profession, having knowledge of matters not within the knowledge of persons of average education, learning and experience, who may assist a jury in arriving at a verdict by expressing an opinion on a state of facts shown by the evidence and based upon his or her special knowledge. (NOTE: Only the court can determine whether a witness is qualified to testify as an expert.)

A vivid recollection of a portion of a hallucinogenic experience. Essentially, it is a very intense daydream. There are three types: (1) emotional -- feelings of panic, fear, etc.; (2) somatic -- altered body sensations, tremors, dizziness, etc.; and (3) perceptual -- distortions of vision, hearing, smell, etc.

An unsteady, staggering gait (walk) in which walking is uncoordinated and appears to be “not ordered.”

Chatter, rambling or pointless speech. Talkative.

Behavior or observations of the subject that are observed and not specifically tested for. (Observational and Behavioral Indicators)

A sensory experience of something that does not exist outside the mind, e.g., seeing, hearing, smelling, or feeling something that isn't really there. Also, having a distorted sensory perception, so that things appear differently than they are.

One of the seven drug categories. Hallucinogens include LSD, MDMA, Peyote, Psilocybin, and numerous other drugs.

Sometimes referred to as “marijuana oil” it is a highly concentrated syrup-like oil extracted from marijuana. It is normally produced by soaking marijuana in a container of solvent, such as acetone or alcohol for several hours and after the solvent has evaporated, a thick syrup-like oil is produced with a high THC content

A form of cannabis made from the dried and pressed resin of a marijuana plant.

A blow or bump to the head that injures the brain and may cause observable signs and symptoms which may mimic drug and alcohol impairment.

A powerful and widely-abused narcotic analgesic that is chemically derived from morphine. The chemical, or generic name of heroin is "diacetyl morphine".

Dynamic balance, or steady state, involving levels of salts, water, sugars and other material in the body’s fluids.

Involuntary jerking of the eyes occurring as the eyes gaze to the side.

Chemicals produced by the body's endocrine system that are carried through the blood stream to the target organ. They exert great influence on the growth and development of the individual, and that aid in the regulation of numerous body processes.

A metabolite of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

Exaggerated or over extended motions

Excess sugar in the blood.

A deep, rapid or labored breathing

Extremely high body temperature.

A neurological condition marked by increased reflex reactions.

Abnormally high blood pressure. Do not confuse this with hypotension.

An abnormal decrease of blood sugar levels.

Shallow or slow breathing.

Abnormally low blood pressure. Do not confuse this with hypertension.

Decreased body temperature.

A crystalline form of methamphetamine that produces a very intense and fairly long-lasting "high".

One of the several items used to describe the degradation of mental and/or physical abilities necessary for safely operating a vehicle.

One of the seven drug categories. The inhalants include volatile solvents (such as glue and gasoline), aerosols (such as hair spray and insecticides) and anesthetic gases (such as nitrous oxide).

One method of ingesting certain drugs. Insufflation requires that the drug be in powdered form. The user rapidly draws the drug up into the nostril, usually via a paper or glass tube. Insufflation is also known as snorting.

The skin and accessory structures, hair and nails. Functions include protection, maintenance of body temperature, excretion of waste, and sensory perceptions.

"Within the eyeball".

A series of distinct sounds produced by blood passing through an artery, as the external pressure on the artery drops from the systolic value to the diastolic value.

The inability of a person's eyes to converge, or "cross" as the person attempts to focus on a stimulus as it is pushed slowly toward the bridge of his or her nose.

Physiological signs that are specifically assessed and are, for the most part, involuntary reflecting the status of the central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis (Physiological Indicators).

Common term for the Cannabis Sativa plant. Usually refers to the dried leaves of the plant. This is the most common form of the cannabis category.

A drug containing a synthetic form of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Marinol belongs to the cannabis category of drugs, but Marinol is not produced from any species of cannabis plant.

An opinion made by a DRE based on the evaluation that the state of a suspected impaired driver is more likely related to a medical impairment that has affected the subject’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.

The combined chemical and physical processes that take place in the body involving the distribution of nutrients and resulting in growth, energy production, the elimination of wastes, and other body functions.  There are two basic phases of metabolism: anabolism, the constructive phase during which molecules resulting from the digestive process are built up into complex compounds that form the tissues and organs of the body; and catabolism, the destructive phase during which larger molecules are broken down into simpler substances with the release of energy.

A chemical product, formed by the reaction of a drug with oxygen and/or other substances in the body.

Abnormally small (constricted) pupils.

Nerves that carry messages away from the brain, to the body's muscles, tissues, and organs. Motor nerves are also known as efferent nerves.

A degenerative muscular disorder.

Rigid muscle tone.

Abnormally large (dilated) pupils.

One of the seven drug categories. Narcotic analgesics include opium, the natural alkaloids of opium (such as morphine, codeine and thebaine), the derivatives of opium (such as Heroin, Dilaudid, Oxycodone and Percodan), and the synthetic narcotics.

A cord-like fiber that carries messages either to or from the brain. For drug evaluation and classification purposes, a nerve can be pictured as a series of "wire-like" segments, with small spaces or gaps between the segments.

A nerve cell. The basic functional unit of a nerve. It contains a nucleus within a cell body with one or more axons and dendrites.

Chemicals that pass from the axon of one nerve cell to the dendrite of the next cell, and that carry messages across the gap between the two nerve cells.

One mechanism of polydrug interaction. For a particular indicator of impairment, two drugs produce a null effect if neither of them affects that indicator. For example, PCP does not affect pupil size, and alcohol does not affect pupil size. The combination of PCP and alcohol produces a null effect on pupil size.

An involuntary jerking of the eyes.

A semi-conscious state of deep relaxation. Typically induced by impairment due to Heroin or other narcotic analgesics. The suspect's eyelids droop, and chin rests on the chest. Suspect may appear to be asleep, but can be easily aroused and will respond to questions.

One mechanism of polydrug interaction. For a particular indicator of impairment, two drugs produce an overlapping effect if one of them affects the indicator but the other doesn't. For example, cocaine dilates pupils while alcohol doesn't affect pupil size. The combination of cocaine and alcohol produces an overlapping effect on pupil size: the combination will cause the pupils to dilate.

An abnormal paleness or lack of color in the skin.

Mental disorder characterized by delusions and the projection of personal conflicts that are ascribed to the supposed hostility of others.

Drug paraphernalia are the various kinds of tools and other equipment used to store, transport or ingest a drug. Hypodermic needles, small pipes, bent spoons, etc., are examples of drug paraphernalia. The singular form of the word is "paraphernalium". For example, one hypodermic needle would be called a "drug paraphernalium".

An autonomic nerve that commands the body to relax and to carry out tranquil activities. The brain uses parasympathetic nerves to send "at ease" commands to the muscles, tissues, and organs.

Drugs that mimic neurotransmitter associated with the parasympathetic nerves. These drugs artificially cause the transmission of messages that produce lower blood pressure, drowsiness, etc.

A contraction of PHENYL CYCLOHEXYL PIPERIDINE, or PCP. Formerly used as a surgical anesthetic, however, it has no current legitimate medical use in humans.

Often called "phencyclidine" or “PCP”, it is a specific drug belonging to the Dissociative Anesthetics category.

A basic reference source for drug recognition experts. The PDR provides detailed information on the physical appearance and psychoactive effects of licitly-manufactured drugs.

Physiology is the branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or living matter and the physical and chemical phenomena involved.

Literally, "hair standing up", or goose bumps. This condition of the skin is often observed in persons who are under the influence of LSD.

Ingesting drugs from two or more drug categories.

Ingesting two or more different drugs

A mental state characterized by a profound sense of intensified or altered sensory perception sometimes accompanied by hallucinations.

Methods of investigating the mental (psycho-) and physical characteristics of a person suspected of alcohol or drug impairment. Most psychophysical tests employ the concept of divided attention to assess a suspect's impairment.

Literally, "creating psychosis" or "giving birth to insanity". A drug is considered to be psychotogenic if persons who are under the influence of the drug become insane, and remain so after the drug wears off.

Literally, "mimicking psychosis" or "impersonating insanity". A drug is considered to be psychotomimetic if persons who are under the influence of the drug look and act insane while they are under the influence.

Droopy eyelids.

The rhythmic dilation and relaxation of an artery that results from the beating of the heart.

The number of expansions of an artery per minute.

The pupils of the eyes will constrict and dilate depending on changes in lighting.

The continuous, irregular change in the size of the pupils that may be observed under room or steady light conditions.

A period of pupillary constriction followed by a period of pupillary dilation where the pupil steadily increases in size and does not return to its original constricted size.

Jerking of the eyes as they look straight ahead.

A dense white fibrous membrane that, with the cornea, forms the external covering of the eyeball (i.e., the white part of the eye).

Nerves that carry messages to the brain, from the various parts of the body, including notably the sense organs (eyes, ears, etc.). Sensory nerves are also known as afferent nerves.

The unpollinated female cannabis plant, with a relatively high concentration of THC.

One method of ingesting certain drugs. Snorting requires that the drug be in powdered form. The user rapidly draws the drug up into the nostril, usually via a paper or glass tube. Snorting is also known as insufflation.

A medical device used to measure blood pressure. It consists of an arm or leg cuff with an air bag attached to a tube and a bulb for pumping air into the bag, and a gauge for showing the amount of air pressure being pressed against the artery.

Conforming to a model in comparative applications.

There are three SFSTs, namely Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk and Turn (WAT), and One Leg Stand (OLS). Based on a series of controlled laboratory studies, scientifically validated clues of impairment have been identified for each of these three tests. They are the only Standardized Field Sobriety Tests for which validated clues have been identified.

A medical instrument used, for drug evaluation and classification purposes, to listen to the sounds produced by blood passing through an artery.

A medical condition that occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or a burst and may cause observable signs and symptoms which may mimic drug and alcohol impairment

An autonomic nerve that commands the body to react in response to excitement, stress, fear, etc. The brain uses sympathetic nerves to send "wake up calls" and "fire alarms" to the muscles, tissues and organs.

Drugs that mimic the neurotransmitter associated with the sympathetic nerves. These drugs artificially cause the transmission of messages that produce elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils, etc.

The gap or space between two neurons (nerve cells).

A sensory perception disorder, in which an input via one sense is perceived by the brain as an input via another sense. An example of this would be a person “hearing” a phone ring and “seeing” the sound as a flash of light. Synesthesia sometimes occurs with persons under the influence of hallucinogens.

Done or acting according to a fixed plan or system; methodical.

The highest value of blood pressure. The blood pressure reaches its systolic value when the heart is fully contracted (systole), and blood is sent surging into the arteries.

Abnormally rapid heart rate.

Abnormally rapid rate of breathing.

The principal psychoactive ingredient in drugs belonging to the cannabis category.

An adjustment of the drug user's body and brain to the repeated presence of a drug. As tolerance develops, the user will experience diminishing psychoactive effects from the same dose of the drug. As a result, the user typically will steadily increase the dose he or she takes, in an effort to achieve the same psychoactive effect.

Scar tissue usually produced by repeated injection of drugs, via hypodermic needle, along a segment of a vein.

A blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart from the body tissues

An involuntary jerking of the eyes (up-and-down) which occurs as the eyes are held at maximum elevation. The jerking should be distinct and sustained.

A French expression literally meaning “to see, to say.” Loosely, this would be rendered in English as “To seek the truth,” or “to call it as you see it.” In a law or court context, one application of voir dire is to question a witness to assess his or her qualifications to be considered an expert in some matter pending before the court.

A motor nerve that carries messages to a muscle that we consciously control.

This occurs in someone who is physically addicted to a drug when he or she is deprived of the drug. If the craving is sufficiently intense, the person may become extremely agitated, and even physically ill.