DRUGGED DRIVING CASES RISING

Drunk driving is down, but drugged driving is higher, says a report by
the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.

The 2008 B.C. Roadside Survey found that while fewer people were
driving after drinking, more drivers tested positive for drugs.

A study of 1,500 drivers found that 10 per cent of nighttime drivers
tested showed evidence of drug use, while eight per cent tested
positive for alcohol.

A full 17 per cent tested positive for drugs, alcohol or both. "The
good news is that drinking and driving appeared to be on the decline
in the samples we collected," said Doug Beirness, senior research and
policy analyst at the centre and lead researcher for the survey.

"But the messages about drugs and driving don't seem to be getting
through."

Beirness said a 2004 study showed that drugs, often combined with
alcohol, were detected in up to 30 per cent of fatally injured
drivers. "People still don't think the use of drugs impairs their
ability to drive a car," said Beirness.

"Young people between 16 and 18 did not show any evidence of alcohol
use, but a small proportion did test positive for drug use, indicating
they may not know or understand the risks associated with drugs and
driving. "This provides a strong argument for greater investment in
education as well as increased countermeasures."

Andy Murie, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Canada, said drivers,
especially impressionable young drivers, need to know that driving
drugged is dangerous.