CANNABIS DRIVERS' DRUG OF CHOICE

New research suggests more young adults drive under the influence of
cannabis than alcohol.

The latest paper from Otago University's long-running Christchurch
Health and Development study found on average, drivers aged 25 drove 2
1/2 times more under the influence of cannabis than they did on alcohol.

The findings give additional ammunition to the Government's move to
introduce drug-driving regulations.

"We're quite surprised by these results as we expected to find that
drink-driving is more risky than driving under the influence of
cannabis," says Professor David Fergusson, who led the study.

The study asked 936 drivers aged 25 about their frequency driving
under the influence of cannabis or alcohol. While a similar proportion
of the group reported driving under the influence of cannabis (21 per
cent) or alcohol (27.2 per cent) per year, the frequency of driving
under the influence of cannabis was far higher.

Those questioned reported driving under the influence of cannabis on
an average of nine occasions between the ages of 21 and 25. The
average rate for drink-driving was 3.52 times. And after adjusting for
other factors, those driving while on cannabis on more than 20
occasions in a given year had 1.4 times more car accidents than those
who did not. For alcohol, the results suggested only a small increased
risk.

Professor Fergusson said the net effects were that for the group of
young people studied, cannabis posed a greater risk than
drink-driving.

He pointed out, however, that the accidents were relatively minor and
for the most part did not involve injury, and as cannabis use was
highest among young adults, the results of the study may only be
specific to that age group.

Two social trends appeared to have influenced the results, he
said.

"There have been major efforts from publicity, legislation and law
enforcement to reduce the rates of drink-driving. In contrast, while
rates of cannabis use have increased dramatically amongst young
adults, there has been little effort to regulate driving under the
influence of cannabis."

Under a proposed new law, police will put a suspected drugged driver
through a roadside test of balance, co-ordination and eye-pupil
response. A driver who fails this check will be given a blood test and
a positive result will lead to a prosecution.

Police Minister Annette King hopes to have the compulsory tests in
place next year.