Drugs and driving: a retrospective study of the analyses of blood and urine specimens submitted to the Lothian and Borders Police Forensic Laboratory.
A comprehensive review of 75 samples of both blood and urine from 72 different drivers suspected of being impaired by drugs in the Lothian and Borders Police Force, Scotland area of jurisdiction, between 1st January 1995 and 2nd May 1997, was undertaken. The police reports, analytical results and criminal conviction records relating to each of the drivers were examined. This provided useful information concerning differences in laboratory procedures and produced a profile of the average drugged driver. The average age of the drivers was 23 years. Only two females were within the sample. Drugs were found in 65 cases (86.7%). Polydrug use was found in seven cases (9.3%). The drugs found, in order of frequency, were benzodiazepines (40%), cannabinoids (24%), alcohol (16%), methadone (12%), dihydrocodeine (9.3%), ecstacy (5.3%), amphetamine (2.7%), volatiles (1.3%) and morphine (1.3%). 90.3% of the drivers had previous convictions for criminal offences and 47.2% had convictions for drugs-related offences. Recommendations concerning police and medical training are discussed with particular reference to the Drug Recognition Expert program.
Ledingham
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Forensic Medicine Unit, Pathology Department, Medical Building, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK.