NCJ Number
177964
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Volume: 32 Issue: 1 Dated: March 1999 Pages: 47-53
Date Published
1999
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The United Kingdom's Forensic Science Service (FSS) analyzed 1,863 samples of blood in driving under the influence of drug cases in 1997.
Abstract
The 1,863 samples contrasted with more than 20,000 samples of blood and urine samples sent to the FSS for driving under the influence of alcohol cases. Analysis of the 1,863 samples showed a mixture of purely illicit drugs and those used medicinally. In many cases, the level of benzodiazepine found in samples suggested these cases were the result of abuse rather than medicinal use. A very high proportion of samples indicated that more than one drug had been used; two or more drugs were detected in more than 50 percent of samples. Public and political perceptions that driving under the influence of drugs is a significant problem in the United Kingdom are considered, perceptions that are supported by a survey of road incident fatalities. The author concludes that legislation in the United Kingdom to deal with driving under the influence of drugs is adequate. The author indicates, however, that police officers need more assistance with drug detection and drug law enforcement and that this is being accomplished through the investigation of roadside screening devices, improved police officer training, and more efficient analysis of blood samples. 6 references and 4 figures