Grant Would Fund Drug Testing for DUI Suspects

Paducah City Commissioners are considering whether to accept a $25,000 grant from the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety that will help pay for Paducah Police to swab test impaired drivers for drugs.

The pilot program will allow officers to swab the mouth of suspected impaired drivers after they have been arrested. Once the test is conducted, the swab will be sent to the state to determine if the driver was under the influence of certain drugs while driving, however the driver must consent to the exam before an officer can move forward with the test.

Paducah Chief of Police Brandon Barnhill told commissioners at Tuesday's Paducah City Commission meeting that the roadside drug test is another tool patrol officers can have at their disposal to determine if a motorist is under the influence of drugs.

"When the person is arrested, they will have to volunteer to participate in this program," Barnhill said. "If they volunteer to participate, we will collect that sample and we will submit that to the state, and they will provide the results back to us."

Barnhill said since drivers have to consent to the test, this will "weed out" many who may be under the influence of drugs.