DRIVING HAZARDS OF ILLICIT DRUGS

A study of 300 injecting drug users in Sydney found a high proportion of them had driven under the influence of illicit drugs.

83 per cent reported driving soon after using an illicit drug.

About one third had been in an accident while under the influence of an illicit drug.

22 per cent reported having driven soon after using heroin at least once a week.

One in five reported having driven at least one a week soon after using cannabis.

(Source: www.abc.net.au/am/content/2003/s1022915.htm )

IMPACTS OF CANNABIS

A study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse in the US found that cannabis use affected cognitive impairment.

Main impacts were on verbal memory, visual memory, manual dexterity, vision, perception and psychomotor speed.

The more cannabis used the greater the impairment.

(Source: Neurology 59(9) "Dose Related Neurocognitive Effects of Marijuana Use" Bolla K.I.)

DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENT

These studies highlight the high impact of illicit drugs on driving and safety.

Reduction in illicit drug usage will have significant impacts on our roads.

Getting illicit drug users off drugs will improve the quality of life for former users.

THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-

More detoxification & rehabilitation that get illicit users drug free.

More truthful information about the harm of all illicit drugs.

Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation programs.

Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.

DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA Inc. can be e-mailed at drugadvice@daca.org.au and this is our complimentary regular e-mail on illicit drugs.

Our web site at www.daca.org.au has more information about illicit drugs.

7/2004