The perceptions and behaviours of drivers who use illicit opiates and stimulants were investigated using focus groups and a survey of 160 drug users in Melbourne. The participants described many drug effects which could reduce driving ability, but few perceived that these significantly increased accident risk. Nonetheless, most heroin users perceived heroin-induced tiredness to be an accident risk; almost a quarter experienced this condition while driving at least once per week, and the mean frequency for the whole group was once every two weeks. Drug use and driving are closely linked for many opiate and amphetamine users. Common behaviours include regularly driving to score drugs and using drugs inside vehicles. Some amphetamine users reported deliberate drug use and driving over prolonged periods. Few respondents were concerned about the illegality of their driving behaviour, and nearly 10% were driving without a license. Users do not appear to be deterred from drug-driving by current laws. Drug dependence, users’ perceptions of low accident risk, and heavy reliance on private motor vehicles for transport in Melbourne mean that altering the driving behaviour of illicit opiate and stimulant users is likely to be difficult. (Author/publisher)
Abstract