[San Diego Police have a new gizmo](https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/12/27/beyond-breathalyzers-san-diego-police-can-now-field-test-drivers-for-drugs/) that uses saliva to test for several prohibited drugs, but it definitely will cross-react with some prescription drugs as well.

I'm not a lawyer, and I'm not your lawyer, but you should never , ever do a roadside test or field sobriety test. Get a blood draw any time they are suspecting you of DUI/DWI, and never, ever talk to the police. A blood draw analysis WILL distinguish between recreational and most prescription drug use, much better to have this analysis done.

You may think, "If I just show them I can stand on one foot or recite the alphabet backwards, they'll see I'm sober and let me go!", and sometimes that does happen. However, HOWEVER, there is no guarantee that it'll work out for you and the assessment on FST's is entirely subjective. If the cop says you failed the FST, you are well and truly boned.

Much better risk:benefit ratio if you just insist on the blood draw, even though you'll be detained much longer that way. Better to take the longer detainment and remove the risk of a DUI arrest.

(If you are actually driving under the influence, I hope they nail you to the wall with incontrovertible blood analysis, screw you for being an enormous ass)

San Diego drivers, be aware of a new roadside test to avoid