Workshop Descriptions

CRN EVALUATOR WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
(Certification Workshops)

CRN Evaluator Certification (CRN 1) – This two-day workshop is designed to begin the certification process. A participant seeking certification as an Evaluator needs to have observed at least one CRN evaluation completed by a certified CRN Evaluator and review the manual prior to attendance of the workshop.

This workshop will focus on the CRN system, its development, CIF, how the interview and instrument determine the recommendation, interviewing strategies and using the web-based application. Requirements of the certification process will be reviewed.

CRN Performance Analysis Workshop (PAW) – Successful completion of this full-day workshop will result in certification. Participants will be required to submit 3 completed CRN evaluations with appropriate paperwork.

CRNs completed by the participants will be reviewed by the trainer and discussed at the workshop. Areas of weakness and concern will be reviewed. A written examination on the knowledge of the CRN system and PA DUI field will be administered at the end of this workshop.

DUI INSTRUCTOR WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
(Certification Workshops)

DUI Instructor Certification Workshop – This two-day workshop is designed to begin the certification process. Participants seeking certification must have observed an approved 12 1/2 hour Alcohol Highway Safety School.

Topics covered include an overview of alcohol highway safety, BAC, alcohol abuse/alcoholism, and legal issues. An overview of the approved curriculum, content areas, and teaching methodologies will be presented. Curriculum implementation and the development of lesson plans will be covered. Requirements of the certification process will be reviewed. 12 CAC/CPS credits only

DUI Instructor Performance Analysis Workshop (PAW) – Successful completion of this full-day workshop will result in certification. Participants are required to have conducted an approved 12 1/2 hour Alcohol Highway Safety School curriculum and submit a course outline including lesson plan, prior to attending the workshop. The Trainer will review the paperwork for approval and recommendations.

Participant outlines will be discussed with emphasis on utilizing innovative teaching methodologies. A written examination on the Alcohol Highway Safety School and PA DUI field will be administered at the end of this workshop.

UAD INSTRUCTOR WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
(Certification Workshop)

Underage Drinking Instructor Certification – This two-day workshop is designed to certify the UAD Instructor. Topics covered include an overview of alcohol highway safety, BAC, alcohol abuse/alcoholism, and legal issues. An overview of the approved curriculum, content areas, and teaching methodologies will be presented. Curriculum implementation and the development of lesson plans will be covered. An essential goal of this training is to exchange information regarding the existing Underage Drinking Class process within your county and share new ideas to utilize in your county.

MISCELLANEOUS WORKSHOPS
(Recertification credits)

Current Issues in Alcohol: 2021 – This workshop focuses on the new and the different as encountered throughout the world, the nation, and particularly the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Topics include new methods of alcohol abuse, caffeine-interaction issues, new uses of alcohol to get high on other drugs, and new levels of alcohol concentration in alcoholic beverages. By better understanding the new forms and uses of beverage alcohol and the myths associated with the drug known as alcohol, participants gain an appreciation for the complex nature of alcohol’s effects and learn how to better deal with their part of the interaction with the abuser.

Current Issues in Drugs: 2021 – This workshop, completely revised this year, focuses on the terms and processes involved in both positive and negative behaviors that emanate largely from the influence of drugs on the neurotransmitters present within the individual. Topics include drug and non-drug treatments of acute and chronic pain, agonist versus antagonist drugs, the three forms of cannabinoids and their effects on driving, the comorbidity of drug abuse and mental illness, campus research studies on drug use and prevention, major issues of methamphetamine psychosis, first episode psychosis involving drug use, and how various classes of drugs cause impairment of functions necessary for safe operation of a motor vehicle. Many acronyms are defined and explained including MME, MAT, AUD, CBT, GABA, NSAID, OUD, and SAM. The effects of several of the most abused drugs are then detailed by action and effect. New drugs that impact drug abuse prevention and treatment are presented. This is not a drug enforcement class, but rather it is a drug understanding and familiarization session.

Drug Trends – In this course we will discuss some of the common drug trends that are being seen in Pennsylvania and some of the drugs that may be making their way here. We will talk about designer drugs and why they have become so popular and how detecting them is so difficult. Over the counter medication will be a topic as well as looking at substances that are legal to possess. This class will show lots of videos, photos and actual drugs and drug paraphernalia. We will look at indicators which will help to identify people who may be using impairing substances such as clothing, paraphernalia, as well as signs and symptoms which are produced by the body when people are consuming drugs.

DUI: Step-by-Step Process – This course will examine the DUI investigatory process from start to finish and is intended to give someone who is not a police officer an overview of the investigative steps and processes a defendant is put through in a typical DUI investigation from initial observation of the vehicle through chemical testing. The course will also touch on unique situations officers may encounter during their investigation and how they are generally handled.

Ignition Interlock: 1st Offense/DUI Case Law & Driver Licensing Issues– The Ignition Interlock workshop will cover: the history of ignition interlock within the Commonwealth of PA, the quality assurance program that is maintained by the PA DUI Association, Act 33 of 2016, IILL, IIRL, statutory exclusions for each program, and the application process for both Interlock Programs. Participants with special circumstances and scenarios individuals might encounter while obtaining an interlock license or participating in the interlock program will be discussed. This workshop will explore violations related to the interlock program as well as the penalties associated with violations. The restoration process as it relates to obtaining an unrestricted license will be covered. Participants were provided with information regarding the latest restoration requirements, habitual offender implications, case law, restoration fees, surrendering license, notification of suspension, and credit time for suspension. The Case Law workshop will cover current case law as it relates to issues of probable cause, vehicle stops, physical control, implied consent, sentencing enhancements, admissibility of evidence, reasonable suspicion, Miranda considerations, vehicles, D/A assessments, CRN requirements, DUI w/ minors in the vehicle, exigent circumstances to the 2 hour rule, implied consent, what constitutes a prior offense, Act 153, and Senate Bill 773. There will be an emphasis on current case law updates.

Interviewing the Alcohol/Drug Impaired Subject – This workshop is unique in that both the approach of the initial responder – whether a police officer, and EMT, or another professional – and that of the professional tasked with a formal interview or therapy session is addressed. Anger is the major issue in many of these interviews. Being both impaired and angry does not always occur together but does provide a risk to both the interview and the interviewer. This workshop discusses the links and manifestations of anger with alcohol/drug impairment and suggests methods for cooperation and safe interaction with impaired persons. Various pros and cons of a variety of actions and strategies of impaired subjects are covered, as each differs in its appropriateness, effectiveness and risks for making things worse. Topics include the chemical influence on emotions, the options available to gain cooperation with the person being interviewed, the probability of an anger reaction depending upon the drug involved, and suggestions for minimizing the refusal of cooperation from impaired persons. The presentation of issues that differ for the first person in the contact – usually the officer in a DUI case – and those of the interviewer who follows up on the process permit each to appreciate the different and similar approaches required.

Methamphetamines: Drug of Aggression – This workshop will explore the various forms of methamphetamine hydrochloride and d-methamphetamine; its detection, abuse, and dangers to the user and those who encounter the user. Topics will include physical and mental impairment, drug interactions, symptoms of use and addiction, common paraphernalia, long term health effects, overdose issues, and handling the meth abuser in interview situations.

PA Medical Marijuana/ Opioid Epidemic -This workshop will be divided into two parts, Medical Marijuana and Opiates. The Medical Marijuana portion will look at where marijuana has been decriminalized and what states only permit it for medical purposes. It will also explain the differences in recreational marijuana compared to medical marijuana. This workshop will also look at Medical Marijuana in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the possibility of getting a DUI while under the influence of Marijuana.

The Opioids portion of the training will look at the rise of these highly addictive, overly prescribed drugs. This workshop will give a historical perspective of all opiate drugs from early access to whereas a society we stand right now. This session will also show how addictive these drugs are and how some prescribed users will often move to the use of heroin. And finally, it will show the social and economic destruction that these drugs can cause.

Recognizing the Drug Impaired Subject -This course will train non-law enforcement personnel to observe, identify and articulate the signs of impairment related to drugs, alcohol or a combination of both. Training objectives include: define the term “drug” in the context of recognizing the drugged subject, highlight US drug problem issues, discuss tests conducted by law enforcement to determine drug impairment, medical conditions that could be mistaken for drug impairment and the seven different drug categories, common drugs in those categories and signs and symptoms associated.

Recreational Marijuana – (1/2-day workshop) this workshop will cover: the history of legalization regarding medical and recreational marijuana throughout the United States, current recreational and medical states, distribution of dispensaries, crime rate changes since legalization, impaired driving and per se, health concerns. Furthermore, the workshop will explore issues that have emerged in states that have legalized marijuana use, to include: black market economy, law enforcement concerns, pharmaceutical alternatives available, marijuana and the opioid crisis, marijuana and pain management, hospitalizations/ER visits/poison control, marijuana related fatalities, decriminalization of drugs, homelessness. Finally, this workshop explores future considerations and recommendations relative to legalizing marijuana for recreational or medicinal use.

Substance Abuse 101 – (1/2-day workshop) This workshop will cover: the definition of Substance Use Disorder, Statistics relative to those diagnosed with SUD or AUD, and breakdown of what percentage of the population is using certain drugs. This workshop will provide an overview on the seven categories of drugs relative to the physiological effects on the body, detection in the blood and urine, and the impact on the driving skill. We then extensively covered polysubstance use, overdose statistics, excited delirium, addiction, co-occurring disorders including statistics, MAT, the recovery process and what to consider when a relapse occurs.

Trends in Vaping – (1/2-day workshop) Does it seem that everybody who attends Alcohol Highway Safety School has some sort of vaping device? This workshop will explore the history of vaping from e-cigarettes to the most current devices. And believe it or not, its not just nicotine. The workshop will also explore the what other drugs are being used and the health problems created by using these devices.