NCJ Number
174714
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 43 Issue: 4 Dated: July 1998 Pages: 806-811
Date Published
1998
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This collaborative case control study determined the prevalence of opiates, cocaine metabolites, cannabinoids, and amphetamines in the urine of drivers injured in road accidents in France and compared these values with those of nonaccident subjects.
Abstract
Study subjects recruited in the emergency departments of 5 hospitals included 296 drivers between 18 and 35 years of age and 278 nontraumatic patients in the same age range. Females represented 28.4 percent of drivers an 44.2 percent of patients. Screening for drugs in urine was performed using fluorescence polarization immunoassays. Each positive result was verified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Statistical analysis involved single-step logistic regression and simultaneously took account of confounding factors and final differences in prevalence values between the two study groups. Cannabinoids were found in 13.9 percent of drivers (16 percent of males and 8.3 percent of females) and in 7.5 percent of patients (12.3 percent of males and 1.6 percent of females). Only in females was this prevalence higher in injured drivers than in patients. Opiates were present in 10.5 percent of drivers and 10.4 percent of patients and were more frequent in urine samples positive for cannabinoids, in drivers as well as patients. Prevalence rates of cocaine metabolites in drivers and patients were 1 and 1.1 percent, respectively, and of amphetamines were 1.4 and 2.5 percent, respectively. The authors believe the high prevalence of cannabis and opiate use by young people, whether injured drivers or patients, has potential implications for road traffic safety in France. 21 references, 3 tables, and 2 figures