Itasca, IL – The Alcohol, Drugs and Impairment Division of the National Safety Council has named Thomas Page as the recipient of the 2021 Robert F. Borkenstein Award. Page is recognized for his significant work creating, developing and launching drug recognition expert (DRE) programs, which are now used internationally to help combat drug impaired driving.
“Tom’s contributions have changed the entire safety landscape when it comes to impaired driving,” said Tracey Scruggs, program manager for awards at NSC. “Tom gave the law enforcement community an indispensable tool with the advent of DRE programs, and we are honored to recognize him accordingly with the Robert F. Borkenstein Award.”
Page spent decades working in law enforcement in both Detroit and Los Angeles, where he was involved in efficacy studies around DRE programs that still are cited today. Since the late 1980s, Page has trained new DREs across the country and educated and trained various groups on the foundations of the DRE program. Those receiving Page’s counsel include medical professionals, mental health and addiction counselors, toxicologists, attorneys and judges.
The DRE program has evolved into a 12-step evaluation process used all over the world today, thanks to Page’s leadership. Page has provided expert testimony and consultative guidance in hundreds of court proceedings and been published in dozens of publications.
The Borkenstein award, named for Breathalyzer® inventor Robert F. Borkenstein, recognizes individuals who, through a lifetime of service, have made outstanding contributions to the field of alcohol- and drug-related traffic safety. Honorees are selected by professionals involved in the Alcohol, Drugs, and Impairment Division, which is managed by the National Safety Council.
Page was formally recognized Feb. 9.
About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council is America’s leading nonprofit safety advocate – and has been for over 100 years. As a mission-based organization, we work to eliminate the leading causes of preventable death and injury, focusing our efforts on the workplace, roadway and impairment. We create a culture of safety to not only keep people safer at work, but also beyond the workplace so they can live their fullest lives.
