Driving under the effects of drugs of abuse: studies of oral fluid

Introduction: This study includes the evaluation of the use of drugs of abuse ratio in leisure environments, in order to determine which drugs are the most widely used, which are normally used in poly-consumption. Methods : Total sample rise to 216 cases which were collected on the road by traffic police and analyzed by an on-the-road driving test of possible consumption. Positive samples were confirmed by GC/MS-MS. Results : It was detected positive samples for the studied drugs (cocaine, heroin metabolites (6-MAM), amphetamines/methamphetamines and cannabinoids (-THC)). Sample shows a high degree of poly-consumption of different drugs differently distributed. The most widely detected drug of abuse as a single consumption has been cannabis and cocaine. The rest of the drugs were always mixed. The greater combination in poly-consumption is cannabis-cocaine. Conclusions : It is important to notice the high ratio of positive results in drivers. However, the tendency to poly-consumption of drugs of abuse mixed with alcohol is confirmed. Thus, it is necessary to consider the mixed/alternated use of ethylometers and on-the road detection kits of drugs of abuse in oral fluid to improve the traffic security.