title: Detection of drugs in 275 alcohol-positive blood samples of Korean drivers.
abstract: Since driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) is as dangerous as drink-driving, many countries regulate DUID by law. However, laws against the use of drugs while driving are not yet established in Korea. In order to investigate the type and frequency of drugs used by drivers in Korea, we analyzed controlled and non-controlled drugs in alcohol-positive blood samples. Total 275 blood samples were taken from Korean drivers, which were positive in roadside alcohol testing. The following analyses were performed: blood alcohol concentrations by GC; screening for controlled drugs by immunoassay and confirmation for positive samples by GC-MS. For the detection of DUID related drugs in blood samples, a total of 49 drugs were selected and were examined by GC-MS. For a rapid detection of these drugs, an automated identification software called "DrugMan" was used. Concentrations of alcohol in 275 blood samples ranged from 0.011 to 0.249% (average 0.119%). Six specimens showed positive results by immunoassay: one methamphetamine and five benzodiazepines I. By GC-MS confirmation, only benzodiazepines in four cases were identified, while methamphetamine and benzodiazepine in two cases were not detected from the presumptive positive blood samples. Using DrugMan, four drugs were detected; chlorpheniramine (5)*, diazepam (4), dextromethorphan (1) and doxylamine (1). In addition, ibuprofen (1), lidocaine (1) and topiramate (1) were also detected as general drugs in blood samples ('*' indicates frequency). The frequency of drug abuse by Korean drivers was relatively low and a total 14 cases were positive in 275 blood samples with a ratio of 5%. However it is necessary to analyze more samples including alcohol negative blood, and to expand the range of drug lists to get the detailed information.
authors.affiliation: National Forensic Service, 10 Ipchoon-ro, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: emkim4725@korea.kr.
authors.forename: Eunmi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Busan Institute, National Forensic Service, 50 Geumoh-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: csk91@korea.kr.
authors.forename: Sanggil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choe
authors.affiliation: National Forensic Service, 10 Ipchoon-ro, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: sunnyljs@korea.kr.
authors.forename: Juseon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Seoul Institute, National Forensic Service, 139 Jiyang-ro, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jmh1229@korea.kr.
authors.forename: Moonhee
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Daejeon Institute, National Forensic Service, 1524 Yuseong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hychoi22@korea.kr.
authors.forename: Hyeyoung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hschung1024@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Heesun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication; D001334:Automobile Driving; D000067401:Blood Alcohol Content; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood*; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000097:blood*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000067401:Blood Alcohol Content; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D000431:Ethanol
keywords: Blood; DUID (driving under the influence of drugs); Drug abuse; Korean driver