Impairment Perspectives

About Impairment Perspectives

Impairment Perspectives Where Science, Law, and Real-World Experience Intersect A podcast hosted by DrugImpairment.com (http://DrugImpairment.com) “The lab report is just the beginning. The real story lives in the science, the law, and the professionals who connect the two.” Welcome to Impairment Perspectives, the official podcast of DrugImpairment.com (http://DrugImpairment.com), the platform dedicated to advancing education, clarity, and leadership in the field of impaired-driving science. Hosted by Joseph O. Jones, PhD, forensic toxicologist, crime laboratory director, and educator, this podcast is built for professionals working on the front lines including law enforcement officers, attorneys, toxicologists, DREs, and policy leaders. Behind every data point, every chromatogram, and every BAC result is a bigger story. This show goes beyond surface-level discussion to explore the science, strategy, and decision-making that shape real-world outcomes. What You’ll Hear The Real Human Stories - We go beyond résumés to explore the career paths, lessons learned, and defining moments of leaders in forensic/laboratory science and impaired-driving enforcement. Technical Deep Dives - From novel psychoactive substances to alcohol pharmacokinetics, polydrug trends, emerging therapeutics, and evolving testing strategies, we break down complex science into clear, applicable insight. From the Bench to Courtroom - We bridge the gap between laboratory science and courtroom testimony, equipping professionals to explain complicated findings with confidence and credibility. Whether the conversation centers on emerging compounds, policy shifts, toxicological interpretation, or the future of forensic education, the mission remains direct. Deliver the perspectives that matter most in the evolving world of drug and alcohol impairment.

Publisher

Joseph O. Jones, Ph.D.

Category

government · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Feb 2026

Latest episode

27 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

1 of 15 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   27 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

   The Architect: Building the Foundation of Drug Recognition with Dick Studdard

   Host Joey Jones, PhD interviews Dick Studdard, founder of the Drug Recognition Expert program, about the program's origins and impact on law enforcement.

2. 

   14 Jul 2026

   Beyond the Lab Bench: Dr. Karen Scott on Forensic Education and Real-World Challenges

   In this episode of the Impairment Perspectives Podcast, host Joey Jones sits down with Dr. Karen Scott, Director of Forensic Toxicology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, for a conversation about forensic science education, toxicology, and the real-world challenges of preparing the next generation of professionals. Dr. Scott shares insights from her international career, her work in forensic training, and her passion for building practical skills in the lab and beyond.

3. 

   29 Jun 2026

   Isomer Investigations: Navigating Complex Cannabinoid Science with Nelly Mikhaltsevich

   In this episode of Impairment Perspectives, host Joey Jones talks with Nelly Mikhaltsevich, a Forensic Scientist III with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Services Bureau, about the complex and evolving world of cannabinoid testing in forensic toxicology. Nelly shares her journey from student aide to experienced forensic scientist, reflecting on nearly two decades in the crime lab and her growing expertise in cannabinoid analysis. The conversation explores the scientific challenges of separating and identifying THC isomers, including Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC, and the importance of developing validated LC-MS/MS methods in a post-Farm Bill landscape. Joey and Nelly also discuss the realities of method validation, courtroom testimony, laboratory problem-solving, and the balance between high-stakes forensic work and family life. This episode offers an inside look at the precision, persistence, and curiosity required to keep forensic toxicology moving forward as drug trends continue to change.

4. 

   15 Jun 2026

   Setting the Bar: Inside the National DUID Testing Recommendations with Amanda D’Orazio

   In this episode of Impairment Perspectives, host Joey Jones sits down with forensic toxicologist Amanda D’Orazio of NMS Labs for a conversation about the evolving world of drug-impaired driving toxicology. Amanda shares her path into forensic toxicology, her work helping shape national DUID testing recommendations, and the importance of standardizing drug testing practices across laboratories. The discussion explores how consensus recommendations are developed, why evolving drug trends require continual updates, and how emerging substances such as nitrous oxide create new challenges for law enforcement, laboratories, and expert witnesses. Amanda also reflects on career growth, collaboration within the forensic science community, and the real-world demands of communicating toxicology findings in court. This episode offers a thoughtful look at the intersection of science, policy, and public safety through the perspective of a scientist helping guide the future of impairment testing.

5. 

   27 May 2026

   Country Roads (and Emerging Drugs): A Special Episode with Donna Papsun

   In this episode of the Impairment Perspectives Podcast, host Joey Jones talks with forensic toxicologist Donna Papsun of NMS Labs about emerging drug trends, novel psychoactive substances, and the public health role of forensic toxicology. Their conversation covers kratom, synthetic opioids, nitazenes, orphines, designer benzodiazepines, xylazine, lab funding challenges, real-time drug surveillance, and the importance of clear scientific communication. Donna also shares career advice, reflections on mentorship, and insights from nearly two decades in the forensic toxicology field.

6. 

   21 May 2026

   Built to Troubleshoot: Cars, Leadership, and Alcohol Testing with David Zimmerman

   In this episode of Impairment Perspectives, host Joey Jones talks with David Zimmerman, Assistant Laboratory Director at the Kern Regional Crime Laboratory, about the science and practice behind forensic alcohol testing. David shares his path from chemistry teacher to forensic toxicologist, explains why headspace gas chromatography with flame ionization detection remains a reliable standard in the lab, and discusses troubleshooting, measurement uncertainty, courtroom communication, and the realities of leading a modern toxicology program. The conversation also highlights the hands-on mindset required in forensic science and the importance of clear, practical training for professionals involved in impaired driving cases.

7. 

   15 May 2026

   0.05 BAC: Does Lowering the Legal Limit Save Lives, with Amy Berning and Jen Harmon

   In this episode of Impairment Perspectives, host Joey Jones is joined by Amy Berning and Jen Harmon for a timely discussion on the science, policy, and real-world implications of lowering the legal BAC limit to 0.05. Drawing on Amy’s 36-year career at NHTSA and Jen’s forensic toxicology expertise, the conversation explores Utah’s 0.05 law, the 2024 Drugs and Human Performance Fact Sheets, impaired driving research, and how data-driven policy can shape the next major shift in traffic safety.

8. 

   8 May 2026

   Where Clinical Toxicology Meets Forensic Toxicology with Rob Moore and Rebecca Wood

   In this episode of Impairment Perspectives, host Joey Jones speaks with Rob Moore and Rebecca Wood, the clinical scientists behind The Tox Lab podcast. Together, they discuss the evolving world of clinical and forensic toxicology, the rise of emerging synthetic drugs like nitazenes and orphines, and the growing need for advanced testing methods such as high-resolution mass spectrometry. The conversation also explores the challenges of interpreting complex toxicology data, training the next generation of scientists, and bridging the gap between laboratory science, public health, and real-world impairment investigations.

9. 

   23 Mar 2026

   Inside the DRE Program: What Drug Recognition Experts Actually See on the Road, with Aaron Botts

   In this episode of Impairment Perspectives, host Joey Jones sits down with Aaron Botts, a Denver Police Department corporal, DRE specialist, instructor, and adjunct professor, for a wide-ranging conversation on impaired driving enforcement, training, and leadership. Aaron shares how his frontline experience and academic work shape his approach to teaching officers how to recognize impairment more effectively and ethically. The episode highlights Aaron’s “Detection in 60 Seconds” philosophy, a data-informed screening approach designed to help officers quickly distinguish between sober and impaired drivers while improving efficiency and community interactions. He also discusses the challenges of teaching modern students, the role of AI in education, and how officers can go beyond basic training to better understand science, courtroom expectations, and real-world drug impairment cases. Along the way, the conversation adds a personal side, covering Aaron’s background in music education, scouting, leadership, and even his massive board game collection, making the episode both insightful and approachable.

10. 

    24 Feb 2026

    Prosecuting DUID After Cannabis Legalization: Lessons from Colorado, with TSRP Jen Knudsen

    In this episode of Impairment Perspectives, host Joey Jones is joined by Colorado TSRP Jen Knudsen to explore the realities of impaired-driving prosecution in a post-cannabis landscape. Jen shares practical insight on what makes DUI and DRE cases stand up in court—from stronger report writing to confident testimony—and how prosecutors, officers, and scientists can better connect their work to the elements of the case. It’s a candid conversation about courtroom challenges, evolving science, and the relationships that make this work meaningful—plus a few unforgettable road stories along the way.

11. 

    20 Feb 2026

    From Analytical Chemistry to Forensic Toxicology: Building a Non-Linear Career, with Lauren Holliday

    In this episode of Impairment Perspectives, Dr. Joey Jones sits down with analytical chemist Lauren Holliday to talk about non-linear career paths in forensic toxicology and beyond. They discuss her move from South Carolina to Boston for graduate school, early experiences in evidence accessioning and toxicology, and the mentors who shaped her growth with tools like GC-MS and LC-MS/MS. The conversation also explores her transition into environmental chemistry and pesticide testing at a wastewater treatment plant, highlighting how forensic skills translate across regulated laboratory settings.

12. 

    20 Feb 2026

    How Crime Labs Actually Get Run: 20 Years in Forensic Leadership, with Jen Harmon

    In this episode of the Impairment Perspectives Podcast, host Joey interviews Jen Harmon—nationally recognized forensic science and public administration leader with more than 20 years of experience spanning toxicology, crime lab leadership, and policy work. Jen shares her journey from volunteering as a young intern at the Orange County Crime Lab to supervising forensic alcohol operations and ultimately overseeing multiple lab sections as an assistant director. Along the way, she reflects on leadership lessons, building high-trust teams, improving efficiency through Lean Six Sigma, advancing comprehensive drug testing and DUID programs, and translating lab data into actionable insights for stakeholders. The conversation also touches on her 2018 NHTSA Lifesaver Award, testimony before Congress, and her current focus on consulting, teaching, and helping the field connect science with real-world policy and safer roads.

13. 

    20 Feb 2026

    Three Decades on the Front Line of Impaired Driving with Mike Teixeira

    This episode of the Impairment Perspectives podcast features a conversation with veteran law enforcement officer and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Mike Teixeira. Drawing from decades of frontline experience, Teixeira shares how impaired driving enforcement has evolved—from the early days of minimal drug training to today’s standardized testing protocols. He discusses lessons from the field, report writing that holds up in court, courtroom testimony, and the importance of continual learning. The episode also emphasizes training, mentorship, and the mindset needed to excel in drug impairment detection and prevention

14. 

    20 Feb 2026

    The Birth of the DRE Program: How Public Health Met Law Enforcement, with Pioneer Tom Page

    In this episode of Impairment Perspectives, we talk with Tom Page, a pioneer in the development of the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) program. He shares how his early work in public health and law enforcement shaped his approach to drug-impaired driving, and how the DRE program evolved from street-level observations to a nationally recognized training model. Listeners will hear about the challenges, breakthroughs, and key players behind the program’s growth, along with advice for today’s officers navigating the complexities of impairment detection.

15. 

    20 Feb 2026

    Why I Became a Forensic Toxicologist: A Personal Origin Story, with Dr. Sabra Jones

    In this debut episode of Impairment Perspectives, forensic toxicologist Dr. Sabra Jones shares her personal and professional journey into the field of forensic science. From her early exposure to substance abuse in her hometown to an unexpected internship at the FAA toxicology lab, Dr. Jones reflects on the pivotal moments, mentors, and career decisions that shaped her path. The conversation also explores her passion for education, her role in the Regional Toxicology Liaison (RTL) program, and the importance of mentorship and standards in forensic toxicology.

Inside a recent episode

The Architect: Building the Foundation of Drug Recognition with Dick Studdard

Published 27 Jul 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] His wife had been seriously injured by a DOI drug driver. And he had the same feelings towards him as I did. And he was already doing evaluations. The problem with the DUI drug program in LAPD and everywhere is there was just no real expertise. Also, the LAPD manual said that if you suspected drugs, you've got a narcotics officer to come and evaluate the person. Well, they would walk in and say, yeah, that guy's on heroin or that guy's probably on cocaine. Put my name down and leave. No report. Well, as far back as 1963, I recommended some modifications to the impaired driving program and the reports. […]

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