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EVALUATION OF THE PREVALENCE OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE IN MOTOR VEHICLE TRAUMA IN SOUTH WESTERN SYDNEY
Author(s) -
Sugrue Michael,
Seger Maria,
Dredge Glen,
Davies David J.,
Ieraci Sue,
Bauman Adrian,
Deane Stephen A.,
Sloane David
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1995.tb00575.x
Subject(s) - medicine , urine , heroin , cannabis , poison control , injury prevention , population , alcohol , drug , occupational safety and health , driving under the influence , cannabinoid , substance abuse , environmental health , psychiatry , emergency medicine , pathology , biochemistry , chemistry , receptor
This study estimated prospectively the prevalence of high drug and alcohol levels in road trauma cases who met the criteria for activation of the Liverpool Hospital's trauma team. Urine analysis of road trauma victims between October 1992 and October 1993 was undertaken for drug and alcohol estimation. A total of 164 drivers were studied. A urine alcohol concentration (UAC) exceeding 0.08 g/dL was detected in 27 drivers (16.5%). Cannabinoids were detected in the urine of 25 drivers (15.2%). in 17 the concentrations exceeded 400 ng/mL. In one instance amphetamine, cocaine and heroin were detected in the same injured driver. Combined use of alcohol with some other drugs was detected in only four drivers. Alcohol and cannabinoid levels were prevalent in the urine of injured drivers in this study, particularly in young males who remain over‐represented in the group of injured drivers. In the population surveyed other drugs were rarely detected. The role of cannabinoids in road trauma and the use of cannabinoids in young male drivers will however need to be monitored more extensively.