In addition to drunk driving, driving under the influence of cannabis and other drugs is threatening the safety of all drivers and passengers. With the legalization of recreational cannabis and continued abuse of illicit drugs, there is a growing need for more effective and fair drug detection practices. Traditional testing methods, such as field sobriety checks, breathalyzers and urine samples often fall short of detecting drug use.
Connecticut implemented the CT Law Enforcement Phlebotomy Program (CLEPP) in April 2024. The program aims to reduce the number of serious crashes by providing law enforcement with the necessary medical training to identify drug-impaired drivers.
Officers who successfully complete the CLEPP in a controlled testing facility are certified to draw and test blood from drivers suspected of impairment. Blood testing is the most accurate method of detecting drug use and provides precise, time-sensitive evidence for prosecuting impaired drivers. It can screen for a wide range of drugs in a person’s bloodstream, and is especially crucial for detecting drugs that leave the bloodstream quickly after usage, such as cannabis, cocaine and opioids like fentanyl and heroin.
CLEPP is a partnership between CTDOT and Hartford HealthCare, supported by a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Phlebotomy programs have been adopted by 10 other states following Arizona’s lead in 1995.
Testing: When a driver is suspected of impairment, they are brought to a police station. With the suspect’s consent, a certified law enforcement phlebotomist draws their blood on-site, eliminating the need to transport the individual to a hospital. This streamlines the process and preserves evidence for DUI investigations. Each certified department is equipped with a complete blood draw station and all necessary medical equipment.
Training: Admitted officers to the CLEPP are highly skilled and meet selective criteria. They must be a full-time police officer, have experience with DUI laws, and EMT, EMR, or professional medical training. Admitted officers complete 80 hours of classes over three weeks, classroom assignments, 100 instructor witnessed venipunctures, and pass a National Healthcare Association (NHA) licensure examination to be a phlebotomist. Hartford HealthCare teaches the same course to police officers as it does to people who want to become phlebotomists.
Since launching in April 2024, the program has focused on training qualified officers in high impact areas of the state. Already, 16 officers have passed the program, and the State plans to expand the number of law enforcement phlebotomists to provide coverage statewide.
