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Impairment Perspectives

Impairment Perspectives

Written by: Joseph O. Jones Ph.D.
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About this listen

Impairment PerspectivesWhere Science, Law, and Real-World Experience Intersect

A podcast hosted by 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, 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.

2026 Joseph O. Jones, Ph.D.
Political Science Politics & Government Science
Episodes
  • Amy Berning - Season 01, Episode 09
    May 15 2026

    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.

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • The Tox Lab - Season 01, Episode 08
    May 8 2026

    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.

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    50 mins
  • Aaron Botts - Season 01, Episode 07
    Mar 23 2026

    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.

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    50 mins
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