Alcohol, Drugs & Impairment Division

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.

2021 Borkenstein Award Winner is Thomas Page

Thomas E. Page, of Detroit has been named the recipient of the 2021 Robert F. Borkenstein Award. Page is being 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.

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.

Page was formally recognized Feb. 9.

Division Documents

Meet the NSC Alcohol, Drugs & Impairment Division Leaders

The NSC Alcohol, Drugs & Impairment Division tackles substance abuse and prescription drug issues and makes recommendations to combat the impaired driving problem through legislation, education and other countermeasures. The Division also offers opportunities for safety-focused networking with others in the field.

Sabra Botch-Jones M.S., M.A., D-ABFT-FT
[email protected]
Alcohol, Drugs & Impairment Division Chair

Sabra Botch-Jones is a forensic toxicologist and assistant professor at Boston University School of Medicine Biomedical Forensic Sciences program. She is course director for Forensic Toxicology, Analysis of Controlled Substances and Instrumental Analysis. She conducts research in forensic toxicology and seized drug analysis. She began her career with the Federal Aviation Administration and was a senior forensic toxicologist/quality manager at the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office. She earned master of science degrees in drug chemistry and forensic toxicology from the University of Florida, and bachelors and masters of arts in criminal justice and CJ management and administration from University of Central Oklahoma. She has authored and coauthored 17 scientific articles. She serves on the Toxicology Subcommittee of the Organization for Scientific Area Committees and the Secretary of the Toxicology Consensus Body of the Academy Standards Board. Sabra is active in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences’ Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center.

Michael R. Corbett, Ph.D., LL.M., F-ABFT, FCSFS
[email protected]
Alcohol, Drugs & Impairment Division Vice Chair

Dr. Corbett is a forensic toxicologist and adjunct professor in forensic science at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. He received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Toronto and an LL.M. from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and member of several other organizations, including the Society of Forensic Toxicologists. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Medico-Legal Society of Toronto. He initially worked for 13 years as a forensic toxicologist for the Province of Ontario, and thereafter continued a full-time consulting practice in forensic toxicology for more than 17 years. He is a consultant inspector for the National Laboratory Certification Program in workplace drug testing. He has presented on research at forensic science conferences and education in legal programs. He has testified more than 950 times as an expert witness on alcohol, drugs and impairment/intoxication in cases involving death, injury and other aspects.

Robert D. Johnson Ph.D
[email protected]
Alcohol, Drugs & Impairment Division Immediate Past Chair

Mr. Johnson earned a Ph.D in analytical chemistry from The University of Oklahoma. Certified as a Diplomate by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology, he joined the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office as chief toxicologist in 2011. He previously worked for 10 years as a senior research chemist at the Federal Aviation Administration Civil Aerospace Medical Institute in Oklahoma City. Dr. Johnson is active in the Society of Forensic Toxicologists, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the Southwestern Association of Toxicologists. He has published more than 50 scientific articles.