Forensic Tests for Alcohol

Alcohol is a major factor in traffic crashes in North Carolina. The Forensic Tests for Alcohol (FTA) Branch works to reduce impaired driving via training for law enforcement officers, educational events, and other support services. Learn more about the FTA Branch.

Upcoming Courses

All FTA training courses can be found on the ACADIS website. View our Registration Guide.

July 15-19, 2024

Only currently certified Drug Recognition Experts with one year or more experience are eligible to apply. Applications are being accepted until April 30, 2024, at 5 p.m.  Applications must be submitted from the North Carolina Justice Training and Certification Portal. Please see the course announcement for more information. Should you have any questions, please email DWITraining@dhhs.nc.gov.

More Training Programs & Information

Tab/Accordion Items

The purpose of this course is to familiarize, improve and aid the officer’s ability to recognize suspects who may be under the influence of alcohol by use of an Alcohol Screening Test Device (ASTD).

DITEP is a course intended to provide school administrators, school nurses, teachers, school resource officers, counselors, school bus drivers, and others with training that assist them in recognizing the signs and symptoms of drug impairment from both legal and illegal substances. This training allows for the early detection and intervention strategies in our youth with substance abuse issues so that they can be offered assistance and resources they need to live drug free lives.

SABR training is geared toward mental health professionals, emergency services personnel, correctional facility staff, detention officers, and others. This training is designed to provide the student with information that will aid them during their duties in recognizing persons with substance abuse and behavioral health issues so that appropriate resources and treatments can be directed to the individual to improve their health, safety, and wellbeing.

For more information regarding DITEP, SABR, or any other training offered by FTA, please send your inquiry to: FTAtraining@dhhs.nc.gov.

About the Branch

Alcohol is a major factor in traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities on the streets and highways of North Carolina. In 2021, the state saw 1,783 fatalities on the road, increased 7 percent from 2020 and 22.8 percent, or 407 of those were alcohol-impaired driving fatalities.

The Forensic Tests for Alcohol Branch seeks to reduce the incidence of impaired driving by providing comprehensive training programs to law enforcement personnel in the detection, apprehension, and prosecution of the impaired driver.

Since 1964, the Branch has provided training to law enforcement officers in breath alcohol testing. Over the years, the Branch has expanded its role by providing the following additional services:

  • Specialized and comprehensive training programs;
  • Instrumentation for officers to test impaired drivers;
  • Scientific support for state prosecutors;
  • Highway/safety equipment for safety and educational events; and
  • Educational/safety talks to explain the dangers of impaired driving.

Vision

The Forensic Tests for Alcohol Branch is a group of professionals dedicated to preventing the occurrence of death and injury caused by impairing substances and driving while impaired through the pursuit and implementation of best practices in education, training, detection, and testing to support public health and traffic safety Initiatives.

Mission

The Forensic Tests for Alcohol Branch works collaboratively with partners and stakeholders on a wide range of essential programs and activities to address public health threats by managing the delivery of training and support which directly addresses substance abuse/misuse, impaired driving, and related issues that affect the lives of everyone across North Carolina.