[Intake of addictive drugs and traffic safety--a report of experiences of the Vienna federal police department].

Abstract

Urine samples of 27 individuals with extremely conspicuous behaviour in road traffic were analysed by means of the Abbott ADx-analyser for cocaine metabolites, cannabinoids and opiates. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) confirmed positive results. 52% of those 26 positive samples confirmed the simultaneous consumption of two drugs. In 16% all three drugs tested could be found positive, exceeding the threshold values given for the tests hundred fold. Without exception, all 25 urine samples found positive in the ADx-analyser belonged to young people (22 males, 3 females) with 48% of them born between 1968 and 1970. 84% of tested people had previous convictions and 68% had drug addiction records. We also see this project as the beginning of continuing investigations of other drugs and pharmaceuticals. Given the fact that 25 out of 27 samples were found to be positive we most certainly detected nothing but the "tip of the iceberg". We should strive, in conjunction with other European countries, for a political solution to the problem of the illegal and legal consumption of drugs and pharmaceuticals and their effect on driving performance.