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Citation |
Masarin A, Gechtman C, Paccagnini S, Gesu GP. Biochimica clinica 2015; 39(3): 184-187. |
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Vernacular Title |
Accertamenti tossicologici su sangue a seguito dell'applicazione dell'articolo 187 del Codice della Strada: uno studio retrospettivo nei territori di Milano e provincia |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2015) |
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DOI |
unavailable |
PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
In Italy driving under the influence of drug of abuse (DRUID) is prosecuted since 1992. Controls are performed according to a two-step procedure: blood immunoscreening followed, in case of result positivity, by confirmation using a separative technique coupled to mass spectrometry. This study reports a two-year (2012-2014) retrospective review of blood analyses performed in this framework in our hospital. Over this period, 1384 subjects [1170 (84.5%) were male, mean age 36.7 years] were controlled on request by the authorities of Traffic Police. 426 subjects (30,7%) were found positive to at least one drug. Among them, 212 were positive for cannabis, 150 for cocaine and its metabolites, 24 for opiates, 16 for methadone and 9 for amphetamine-type stimulants. Out of the 212 subjects tested positive for cannabis, 141 had detectable levels of ????-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for engaging prosecution against the drivers. Blood THC concentrations were in the range between 2 38 μg/L. Our results clearly illustrate the huge prominence of cannabis among substances involved in DRUID. According to our data, 9.9% of drivers found positive for cannabis and cocaine metabolites, probably no longer under the influence of drug of abuse at time they were driving, should be submitted to other investigations (e.g., on hair). Language: it |