Drugs in oral fluid : illicit drug use and drug driving in a sample of Gold Coast motorists

Abstract

The present study examined the prevalence of drug driving in a sample of Queensland drivers. Oral fluid samples were collected from 276 drivers who volunteered to participate at Random Breath Testing (RBT) sites in the area of the Gold Coast, Queensland. Illicit substances tested for included cannabis (delta 9 tetrahydrocannibinol [THC]), ecstasy (MDMA), amphetamines and cocaine. Drivers also completed a self-report questionnaire regarding their drug-related driving behaviour. Oral fluid samples from 9 participants (3.3%) were found to be positive for at least one illicit substance. The most common drugs detected in oral fluid were cannabis (n = 6) followed by amphetamines (n = 3). A key finding was that cannabis was also confirmed as the most common self-reported drug combined with driving and that individuals who tested positive to any drug through oral fluid analysis were also more likely to report the highest frequency of drug driving. This research provides preliminary evidence that drug driving may be relatively prevalent on Queensland roads. This paper will further outline the major findings of the study and present possible directions for future drug driving research.