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Citation |
Rentsch D, Weirich V, Wegener R. Blutalkohol 2000; 37(5): 293-307. |
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Affiliation |
Rentsch, D., Institut fur Rechtsmedizin, D-18055 Rostock, Germany |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2000, International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety and Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im Straßenverkehr, Publisher Steintor Verlag) |
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DOI |
unavailable |
PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
The analysis of 500 anonymised blood samples from Western Mecklenburg showed that almost every fifth young driver (aged less than 25 years) involved in an accident and suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol had also consumed drugs/psychiatric drugs. Amongst the drugs/psychiatric drugs, the use of cannabis (hashish, marihuana etc.) came in first place by far with 12.4 %. At least 28 % of the young people were under the direct influence of this drug. The MAHSAN-MTP-GC/MS analysis combination was used to determine a share of 2.4 % of party drug users (ecstasy or speed). Only 0.8 % of all analysed blood samples indicated cocaine or heroin use. The average age of the young people involved in accidents was 21 years. Approximately 95 % of the offenders were male. The accidents that happened under the influence of drugs occurred mainly in the late evening and at night, at weekends, and in the spring and summer months. 87 % of the young people were the operators of vehicles. The number of accidents with injury to persons when the drivers were under the influence of drugs as well as alcohol was higher than in cases of drink driving only. The situation was reversed for accidents with material damage. Once again this study demonstrates the potential danger of alcohol and drugs in young road users. However, an upward trend compared with 1997 could not be detected. |