Citation

Hecker RM, Rohrich J, Neis P, Rittner C. Blutalkohol 2003; 40(2): 85-103.

Affiliation

D-64521 Gross-Gerau, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety and Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im Straßenverkehr, Publisher Steintor Verlag)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this study, a group (n = 202) recruited from typical visitors of two highly frequented "techno discotheques" in the Rhein-Main area was investigated. The examinations were carried out anonymously and on a voluntary basis. The volunteers had mainly consumed MDMA, amphetamine and cannabis, less frequently cocaine or LSD. Alcohol was consumed rarely or moderate. With one exception, opiates and sedative were not consumed in our group. In order to determine the extent of the influence of psycho stimulants, balancing tests such as walking on a straight line and turning round or balancing on one leg with closed eyes can be used as part of a test. The pupil light reaction and the pupil dilation determined with the proposed P/I index (diameter of the pupil divided by the iris diameter) proved to be well suited criterions for detecting drug influence. The average P/I ratio of drug influenced individuals was 0.81 (controls: 0.68); of the volunteers 68 % had diminished light/dark adaptation. In 72 % of the cases the duration of the postrotatory nystagmus was increased by more than 8 seconds (mean: 13.6, median: 12 seconds), which also seemed suitable for detection of drug influence. Unlike the effect of alcohol, the postrotatory nystagmus under influence of ecstasy has a lower amplitude and fades out more gently. Therefore. inexperienced investigators are susceptible to measure incorrect low values. Being aware of the fact that the influence of psycho stimulants appears in different ways compared to alcohol, the documentation of special features is mandatory, particularly since all physical signs reflect a transient state. Therefore, physicians investigating for example drivers under the influence of drugs should receive special training or instruction in addition to which existing documentation forms should be altered accordingly.