The misuse of drugs, both licit and illicit, is an increasing problem in Scotland and one that is reflected in the drugs and driving scene. A recent study highlighted an increased number of samples being analysed for the presence of drugs from drivers suspected of impairment in the West of Scotland. Trends in drugs detected paralleled those that were responsible for drug related deaths in the same region at that time. Most notably there was an increase in morphine, diazepam and Dihydrocodeine positive cases as well as an increase in Temazepam positives in the latter year of the study following a decline in the incidence of that drug due to a legislation change in 1996. This paper presents the analysis of the toxicological investigation of biological samples taken from drivers charged under Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 for the year 1999.
Samenvatting