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Citation |
Steinmeyer S, Ohr H, Maurer HJ, Moller MR. Blutalkohol 2001; 38(2): 52-58. |
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Affiliation |
Institut fur Rechtsmedizin, Universitatsklinik, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2001, 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 |
As part of the European project 'ROSITA' the Institute of Legal Medicine at the Saarland University is working in cooperation with the traffic police departments of the Saarland. This cooperation consists of several rapid drug tests with regard to their use and reliability in traffic checks as well as the judgement and assessment of their analytical meaningfulness. Between June 1999 and December 1999 police officers carried out rapid drug tests on 254 drivers who voluntarily gave saliva/sweat or urine samples in order to either support or dismiss an initial suspicion of drug consumption according to (section) 24a StVG (traffic law). The test results were negative in 45 cases, which could be confirmed by forensic toxicological urine analysis. In 209 cases drivers were asked to give blood samples due to positive results. In 203 of these 209 cases the positive result could be confirmed by GC-MS analysis. Analysing the incidence of drug consumption there were 156 cases where only one drug could be detected (113 cannabis, 38 amphetamines/metamphetamines, 3 opiates, 2 cocaine). There were 44 cases where two drugs could be detected (34 cannabis + amphetamines/metamphetamines, 5 cannabis + opiates, 3 cannabis + cocaine, 2 cocaine + amphetamines/metamphetamines). In addition, more than 2 drugs could be detected in 3 cases. In 6 cases the policemen were given a wrong positive test result. Overall, the quick drug testing produced 97.6% accuracy with regard to the (section) 24a cases that were observed (79.9% positive test results confirmed, 17.7% negative test results confirmed). This shows that the use of on-site drug tests can be helpful for the police to gain quick confirmation of an initial suspicion in order to proceed with the appropriate measures. |