The Sarnia Police Service has recorded a spike in impaired driving so far this year.
Cst. John Sottosanti said they're growing increasingly concerned about the upward trend.
"This year so far we've laid 79 charges related to impaired driving, that's of a concern for us obviously because it has risen from the past where in 2020 we had laid 76 charges in total for the entire year," said Sottosanti. "In 2020, 52 charges were related to impaired by alcohol while the remainder, 24, were related to drugs. This year though, so far in regards to impaired by alcohol we are up to 62 charges and drugs currently are at 17."
He said drug recognition experts have found it to be a buffet of drugs that people are consuming.
"So it can be anything from marijuana to pain killers to opioids and unfortunately, we are finding opioids such as fentanyl is a factor with the drug related charges."
Cst. Sottosanti said the number of refusals to provide breath samples has doubled to 14 so far in 2021 compared to a total of seven last year.
Failure to provide a breath sample carries a minimum fine of $2,000.
Cst. Sottosanti said the Sarnia Police Service will be launching its annual holiday RIDE program later this month.