NCJ Number
211290
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 50 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2005 Pages: 1215-1220
Date Published
September 2005
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Utilizing a case series of DUID suspects, this study compared individuals apprehended in Sweden for driving under the influence of amphetamines and other traffic delinquents who abuse this central stimulant.
Abstract
Among abused drugs in Sweden, amphetamine and other central stimulant amines have dominated the country for many decades. Amphetamines is highly prevalent in people arrested for driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) and in 15,783 cases submitted for forensic toxicology between 1992 and 2001, amphetamine was identified in 8.891 times. In this study, a case series of 46 individuals apprehended in Sweden for DUID, were examined due to the high concentration of amphetamines in blood. These individuals were compared to the medium blood-amphetamine concentration found in 38 men and 8 women. The drugs other than amphetamine most frequently encountered in the blood samples were tetrahydrocannabinol and benzodiazepines. The commonest signs of drug use reported by the arresting police officers were bloodshot and glazed eyes, restlessness, talkativeness, exaggerated reflexes, and slurred speech. In some individuals, their walk was unbalanced and their eyes were dilated. The high concentrations of amphetamines were tolerated without any fatalities. Tables, references