During 1995, 3343 drivers were apprehended by the police in Norway due to the suspicion of influence by drugs. Benzodiazepines (BZD), which represented some of the most frequently detected drugs, were found in approximately 30% of the cases (n=1051), representing 14% (n=150) female and 86% (n=901) male drivers. The frequencies of BZD detected among drivers from different Norwegian counties correlated with BZD prescriptions from the same area. 62% (n=541) of the drivers had been arrested earlier for the same reason, when followed retrospectively for 11 years, representing 5.6 cases per rearrested driver. Alcohol was most frequently detected for those arrested for the first time before 1992, while BZD or illegal drugs were most frequently found for those with the first arrest during 1992 - 1995. The study shows that apprehended drivers using BZDs are mainly represented by drug abusers, combining prescribed and illegal drugs and/or alcohol. A treatment program or other reactions are thus necessary in addition to fines, prison penalty and suspension of driving licence.
Samenvatting