DRUG USE BEHIND THE WHEEL IS ON THE RISE

B. C. Study

MONTREAL - While the message that drinking and driving kills has
registered after 25 years of awareness campaigns, drug use behind the
wheel is on the rise, according to a new B. C. study released last week.

A survey of 1,500 drivers conducted by the Canadian Centre on
Substance Abuse (CCSA) found that while 8.1% of nighttime drivers
tested positive for alcohol, 10.4% showed evidence of drug use. In
total, 16.9% of drivers tested positive for drugs, alcohol or both.

The most common drugs found were cannabis, cocaine, opiates and
cocaine and cannabis in combination.

Age was not a factor, the study showed. Drivers 45 to 54 led drivers
testing positive for drugs, in part because researchers also tested
for legal drugs that can impair driving.

No 16-to-18-year-olds tested positive for alcohol, but a small
portion tested positive for drugs.

"The good news is that drinking and driving appeared to be on the
decline," said Doug Beirness, senior policy analyst at the CCSA and
lead researcher of the study. "But the messages about drugs and
driving don't seem to be getting through."

The latest results were not a surprise to Mothers Against Drunk
Driving, which expanded its mandate beyond alcohol years ago in
keeping with the increased use of cannabis among youth.

"The problem with youth is that they're under the false impression
they're better drivers when they smoke," said Marie Claude Morin,
spokeswoman for the Montreal chapter. "So many will not drive after
they drink, but they are quite convinced that it's OK to drive after
you smoke pot.

"And they're also under the false impression they can't be tested,
and that cops can't tell."

New legislation enacted in July gives police across Canada the power
to bring drivers in for drug testing if they're suspected of impaired
driving. Those who test positive face the same penalties as drunk drivers.

The B. C. survey was conducted in three cities over four consecutive
nights. Drivers were pulled over by police officers, then asked by
researchers to volunteer to drug and alcohol testing. Tests were
anonymous and there was no risk of arrest.

Researchers used Breathalyzers for the alcohol tests and saliva tests
for drugs. Ninety per cent submitted to alcohol tests, 80% to drug
testing. Volunteers were given $10 gasoline coupons.