NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
*************************
On Nov. 1, 2017 at 11:14 p.m., the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) members responded to call pertaining to an alarm going off from a van for approximately ten minutes on Bailey Lane in Elliot Lake.
When police arrived on scene, they observed a male passed out inside. The vehicle doors were locked and the engine was running. After some time, the male was awoken by police and exhibited signs of confusion, as he tried to steer the parked vehicle.
The male eventually turned the van off and exited the vehicle. The male exhibited numerous signs of impairment and was subsequently arrested.
Joseph Barrette, 53 years of age, from Elliot Lake, was charged with:
- Care of control while impaired by drug, contrary to section 253(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (CC)
- Possession of a schedule II substance - cannabis marijuana - under 30 grams, contrary to section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on Dec. 5, 2017.
The East Algoma Detachments of the OPP would like to remind the motoring public to drive sober; this includes drug consumption as well. Impairment by drugs is a crime under the Criminal Code of Canada (CC) and drivers who are charged with driving while impaired by drugs are subject to the same penalties as those who are charged with driving while impaired by alcohol.
The OPP has highly trained Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE) officers who are skilled in the detection and investigation of drug impaired drivers.
A charge of impairment by drugs involves all drugs, be it prescription, over-the-counter and those that are illegal. Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.
*************************