Drivers caught while under influence of mind-altering substances

RCMP note that not all impaired driving charges are laid in connection with alcohol after dealing with two incidents of mind-altering substances on the weekend.

Early Saturday morning, an offduty RCMP auxiliary member observed a man inhaling vapours from an aerosol can while sitting in his vehicle in Stratford.

Stratford RCMP were dispatched immediately and officers located a 53-year-old man from Montague still in his vehicle.

The driver was inebriated and completely incoherent.

The driver was arrested for having care and control of a motor vehicle while intoxicated by a drug.

Then, later Saturday evening, Stratford RCMP observed a vehicle parked by the soccer field on Keppoch Road.

On approaching the vehicle, the officers detected a strong odour of marijuana.

The driver, a 19-year-old man from Stratford, admitted he smoked marijuana.

An RCMP drug recognition expert put the young man through standard field sobriety tests.

The tests resulted in the driver receiving a seven-day driving suspension.

“L” Division RCMP would like to remind the public that driving under the influence of any mindaltering substances, drugs (illegal or prescribed) or alcohol is not only illegal but extremely dangerous.

“And police are watching,” says a news release from RCMP. “Increased checkpoints in Prince, Kings and Queens Districts are having effect.”