An analysis was made of fluid and tissue specimens from drivers and pedestrians fatally injured in Ontario, Canada between 1 April 1978 and 31 March 1979. At least 90 psychotropic drugs and other substances were detected. Of the 1031 victims, 47% met all the criteria for inclusion in the study (age, time of death, sample submission, other factors). Of the 401 drivers and 83 pedestrians in the study sample, 328 (68%) tested positive for one or more drugs, including alcohol. Alcohol was present at over twice the frequency of all other substances combined; 55% of the victims had positive blood alcohol concentrations and 26% of drivers and 29% of pedestrians were positive for other drugs. The substances detected most frequently were: cannabinoids (i.e. marijuana), salicylate, and diazepam. Excluding these three substances, the drugs most frequently detected were members of the following drug groups: tranquilizers/antidepressants, antihistamines, and narcotics. The majority of the drugs detected were present in concentrations considered to be consistent with normal therapeutic dosages. The dominant multiple drug combination was alcohol with other drugs; 54% of the victims who were positive for other drugs were also positive for alcohol. Excluding alcohol, the most common multiple drug combinations involved salicylate and/or codeine, either together or with other drugs, particularly antihistamines or tranquilizers/antidepressants.
Abstract