ARLINGTON, Va. -- Shaquille O'Neal today joined the
Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.org) and the
Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) to unveil GHSA's new law enforcement
initiative to provide states funding to significantly increase the number of
officers trained to detect drug-impaired drivers. The event was held at Rayburn
House Office Building and was attended by members of Congress and Congressional
staff.
"As a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Port Police,
a Miami Beach reserve officer and an honorary deputy, I know how challenging it
is to identify drug-impaired drivers," said professional basketball legend
Shaquille O'Neal. "It's a complex process that requires special training.
I am proud to be a part of expanding law enforcement's ability to recognize an
impaired driver - who could be drunk, drugged, drowsy, or distracted - or a
combination of impairments."
Drug-impaired driving is a growing problem in America. With
the increase in marijuana and other drug use, states are looking for ways to
prevent people from getting behind the wheel when they should not be driving,
and identifying those who do.
Earlier this year, with support from Responsibility.org,
GHSA published Drug-Impaired Driving: A Guide for What States Can Do, a
comprehensive report to help states address this complex highway safety issue.
One key recommendation in the report is equipping law enforcement officers with
the skills to detect and respond to drug-impaired drivers through specialized
training programs.
GHSA Chair Jana Simpler said, "We are thrilled to
continue our partnership with Responsibility.org to develop the capacity of law
enforcement to identify and arrest drug-impaired drivers. It is wonderful to be
able to provide resources to turn this recommendation into a reality across the
country."
"Unfortunately drivers can be drunk and drugged and
even drowsy or distracted; impairments do not happen in a vacuum. We need to
become more comprehensive in our approach if we want to effectively address
this complex problem," said Responsibility.org President and CEO Ralph
Blackman.
Responsibility.org awarded GHSA a $250,000 grant over a
two-year period. GHSA will in turn award funding to State Highway Safety
Offices (SHSOs) to support their efforts in enforcing drugged driving
detection. An award selection committee comprised of GHSA, Responsibility.org,
The International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Sheriffs' Association
will determine winners. An application and additional information will be sent
to SHSOs under separate cover.
About the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility
The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility
(Responsibility.org) is a national not-for-profit that leads the fight to
eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking and is funded by the following
distillers: Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.; Beam Suntory Inc.; Brown-Forman;
Constellation Brands, Inc.; DIAGEO; Edrington; Hood River Distillers, Inc.; and
Pernod Ricard USA. For nearly 25 years, Responsibility.org has transformed
countless lives through programs that bring individuals, families and
communities together to guide a lifetime of conversations around alcohol
responsibility. To learn more, please visit us at Responsibility.org or follow
us on social media: @goFAAR.
About the Governors Highway Safety Association
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a
nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states,
territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership
and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety,
influence national policy, enhance program management and promote best
practices. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal
and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans.
Contact GHSA at 202-789-0942 or visit www.ghsa.org. Find us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/GHSAhq or follow us on Twitter at @GHSAHQ.
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