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Tony Burnett started with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office in 2006 as a Network Coordinator. In March 2012, he was hired the Law Enforcement Liaison for the Middle Tennessee area and served for 2 years before becoming the Statewide ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement) and DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) Coordinator. During his time with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, Tony developed and streamlined the DRE Program to be one of the best in the Country. As a POST certified instructor, he has helped train over 300 law enforcement officers to become certified Drug Recognition Experts and has completed many hours of advanced training for impaired driving recognition and enforcement. In addition, Tony has coordinated the ARIDE training and has been instrumental in training over 400 officers each year in the advanced techniques of field sobriety testing. Tony has been certified as an expert witness and has testified in many impaired driving cases.
During his time as DRE Coordinator, Tony was able to partner with the Rutherford County Jail to allow the DRE students to complete the required evaluations for the class. He was able to permanently set up DRE evaluations in the Metro Nashville area, saving time and funds that could be utilized elsewhere. This also allowed Tony to keep current DREs certified by taking them to Rutherford County Jail to complete evaluations when they were nearing their DRE expiration date.
In addition to overseeing the DRE Program, Tony worked very closely with TBI to bring oral fluid testing to Tennessee. While some states had already been utilizing the testing method to further identify drug trends and gain valuable data for research, Tennessee would be the first state in the South to incorporate this technology. He assisted TBI with validation samples and testing of the Sotoxa units and worked to secure grants to purchase the equipment.
In 2022, Tony partnered with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Middle Tennessee State University’s (MTSU) Forensic Science Laboratory, and AAA to offer the very first, “Advanced Drug-Impairment Assessment through Physiology and Toxicology” (ADAPT) course in the country. The ADAPT course was designed to further the knowledge of law enforcement Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) regarding the effects of legal and illegal substances on the human body and driver impairment after consumption. DREs who completed the course became better equipped to serve as expert court witnesses by offering stronger testimonies during the prosecution of impaired drivers. The class of 94 students consisted of representatives from 16 municipal law enforcement agencies, six county agencies, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP). Presenters included the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference, Tennessee Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutors, the TBI, and the THSO. Class topics included Anatomy and Physiology of the Brain, CNS Stimulants and Depressants, Pharmacology and Effects of THC in Marijuana, Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs, Esoteric Drugs and Emerging Drug Trends, Oral Fluid Testing, and Working with DREs in Court.
Tony’s dedication and commitment to the DRE Program is evident. He held strict standards but always stayed true to the vision of IACP. Today, Tennessee has over 300 DREs to help identify substances that are impairing today’s drivers. They are able to use the knowledge they have gained through the DRE Program to better enforce DUI laws and take dangerous drivers off the roads.
About
A drug recognition expert or drug recognition evaluator (DRE) is a police officer trained to recognize impairment in drivers under the influence of drugs other than, or in addition to, alcohol.The Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program is managed and coordinated by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) with support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
In 1992, the IACP governing body approved the creation of the IACP Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Section. Drug recognition, a growing profession in law enforcement, has seen great promise as a means of identifying and prosecuting drug-impaired drivers. The drug recognition expert's main focus is the detection and recognition of drug-impaired drivers. But DREs have used, and continue to use, their specialized training and skills to assist in many other areas of public safety. Many DREs are considered the drug experts in their communities and their agencies.
DRE School Application
2025 DRE Courses
- September 15-25, THP Training Center, THP Only
- October 20-30, Brentwood Police Department
How to Become a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)
The Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program has received national acclaim for its success in identifying the drug-impaired driver. Officers trained as Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) are frequently called upon to differentiate between drug influence and medical and/or mental disorders and is an extremely valuable tool in combating the adverse impact of drug and alcohol impaired driving in our communities. To find a DRE near you, use the map below:
DRE School is extremely demanding. To receive certification as a DRE, two phases of training must be completed. The following summarizes each phase:
ACADEMIC TRAINING
This phase is typically conducted over nine days (72 class hours). It includes courses in physiology, vital signs, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), and extensive information on each of the seven categories of the drugs of abuse. The training includes three written examinations, a SFST proficiency examination and five written quizzes. Students must achieve a minimum of 80% on the three examinations, and must demonstrate proficiency in administering SFST's in order to progress to the certification phase.
CERTIFICATION PHASE
After successfully completing the academic portion, the students must complete the certification phase. It is the student's responsibility to complete the certification requirements within six months following the DRE School. These requirements include: conducting a minimum of 12 drug influence evaluations while under the supervision of a DRE instructor; identifying subjects under the influence of four of the seven drug categories; and attaining a 75% toxicological confirmation rate. In addition, the student must maintain a progress log, a rolling log, and submit a curriculum vitae. Finally, the student must pass a comprehensive final knowledge examination and obtain the written endorsement of two certified DRE instructors.
DRE certification is valid for two years. In order to maintain certification, DRE's must conduct a minimum of four evaluations every two years, submit an updated rolling log, an updated curriculum vitae, and attend 8-hours of approved re-certification training.
To be considered for DRE training, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Must have a minimum of two years of law enforcement service.
- Must be off probation with your agency.
- Must be working in patrol with your agency.
- Must be SFST trained and proficient in their use.
- Must have completed ARIDE. The online ARIDE program is not accepted in Tennessee as a prerequisite for DRE, it must be taken in Tennessee in a live classroom. No exception.
- Must have a reasonable background and experience level of making DWI arrests.
- Must have an endorsement/recommendation from your local prosecutor.
- Must have an endorsement/recommendation from two DRE's.
- Must submit a minimum of two actual DWI arrest reports for review.