Drug Driving Increasing
A Monash University study of 3398 drivers killed in NSW, Victoria and WA between 1990 and 1999 published in the Journal of Forensic Science International found drugs other than alcohol were present in a whopping 26.7% of cases. And that figure is climbing.
Another article published in March 2011 revealed that blood tests on 1714 injured drivers taken to Victorian hospitals showed that 35% were affected by drugs and 29% by alcohol.
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine found that drivers affected by cannabis are seven times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than drug free drivers.
Police drug tests cost $50 each and are trickier to perform requiring three readings including a laboratory analysis.
(Source: Melbourne Herald Sun newspaper, 25 September 2011 syndicated throughout Australia)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
Drug driving is not treated seriously enough by authorities.
Drug driving is a serious threat to the community and is not to be treated as a health problem for the drug driver.
This article outlines a case where a known illicit drug driver has caused the death of another member of the community well after drug use was detected.
Identified illicit drug drivers need to be diverted into rehabilitation as early intervention prevention.
Court ordered and supervised drug detoxification and rehabilitation is world’s best practice in reducing the number of drug drivers on the road.
THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
34/2011
