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The federal Liberals have touted the devices as an important new tool for cracking down on drug-impaired driving.

The Draeger DrugTest 5000 is currently the only such device approved for use on Canada’s roads, but some police forces have taken a skeptical view, particularly when it comes to cost and cold-weather performance.

“The issue around keeping the swabs at a right temperature is problematic in our current climate,” Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau told the National Post in September.

“Once we buy one, we have to equip each police cruiser with one of these devices and that’s not practical at this time,” Bordelau said, referring to the price tag attached to each device.

According to the procurement documents, a saliva sample that tests positive for THC — the active ingredient in marijuana — or cocaine, combined with an officer’s observations, “would likely provide grounds for the investigation to proceed further.”

Saskatoon Police Chief Troy Cooper has said the force plans to acquire “one or two” of the units. He said the force is “going to give (the Draeger device) a try and see how it functions for us,” even though it is likely “there will be other options to look at later on.”

Saskatoon police spokeswoman Kelsie Fraser on Monday confirmed that the force has no plans to purchase additional units.

“The Draeger is the only screening device that is federally approved so until such time as screening devices get that designation, we won’t be looking at or testing others,” Fraser said.

Saskatoon police “are going to give (the Draeger device) a try and see how it functions for us,” even though it is likely “there will be other options to look at later on, as the science catches pace with the legislation,” Cooper said.

amacpherson@postmedia.com

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