Abstract Introduction and Method Using a forensic toxicology database (TOXBASE), the toxicological results from 10years of forensic blood samples from people arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs were reviewed. Results Alcohol was the only drug identified in blood in N=35,704 cases at a median blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 1.63mg/g. The mean age (±SD) of these offenders was 40±15years and 89% were male. The median BAC was lower (1.30mg/g) in drivers who had consumed alcohol and used a prescription drug before driving (N=1,251). The mean age of this group of traffic offenders was 38±13years and 85% were male. Both the median BAC (0.97mg/g) and the mean age were lowest (36±11years, 92% male) in N=3,153 drivers who had consumed alcohol and used illicit drugs before driving. Cannabis, amphetamine, cocaine and morphine (metabolite of heroin) were the commonest illicit drugs identified in blood samples. Sedative-hypnotics (benzodiazepines) were the major prescription drugs co-ingested with alcohol. Poly-drug use was a common finding in these traffic delinquents, although individuals who only drank alcohol had a higher median BAC and were also several years older than drinking drivers combining alcohol with other drugs before driving. Impact on Industry Zero-tolerance legislation did not deter hard-core offenders. In future there should be more focus on treatment for alcohol and substance abuse disorder rather than conventional punishments for this type of traffic crime.

    Highlights ► Average age of impaired drivers in Sweden was 38–40 y and 86–92% were male. ► Poly-drug use was a common finding in these traffic offenders. ► High median blood-alcohol concentrations (0.16 g%) suggest binge drinking. ► Cannabis, amphetamine and cocaine were the major illicit drugs used with alcohol. ► Sedative-hypnotic prescription drugs were often co-ingested with alcohol.


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    Title :

    What non-alcohol drugs are used by drinking drivers in Sweden? Toxicological results from ten years of forensic blood samples


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Journal of Safety Research ; 43 , 3 ; 151-156


    Publication date :

    2012-05-16


    Size :

    6 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





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