Trends in amphetamine and benzodiazepine use among drivers arrested for drug impaired driving in Norway 2000-2009

Authors

  • Stig Tore Bogstrand
  • Gerrit Middelkoop
  • Asbjørg S. Christophersen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5324/nje.v21i1.1427

Abstract

The patterns of drug use among drivers suspected for driving under the influence of non-alcohol drugs have changed over the past ten years. The aim of this study was to describe trends in single substance prevalence and total prevalence of benzodiazepines and amphetamines in blood samples from apprehended drivers, and compare findings with statistics of drug seizure by year. The sample represented totally 39935 apprehended drivers, varying from about 3500 to 4800 each year between 2000 and 2009. The study found that after 2002 the prevalence of benzodiazepine has ranged from 52 to 57% among all apprehended drivers. There have been major changes in single substance prevalence, and the changes are similar to the changes in benzodiazepine seized by the police. There was no significant changes in the prevalence of amphetamines from 2000 to 2009 (35-43%), but the most prevalent stimulant has shifted from amphetamine to methamphetamine in both police seizures and blood samples from apprehended drivers. A combination of benzodiazepines and amphetamines was commonly detected in samples from apprehended drivers.

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Published

2011-12-16

How to Cite

Bogstrand, S. T., Middelkoop, G., & Christophersen, A. S. (2011). Trends in amphetamine and benzodiazepine use among drivers arrested for drug impaired driving in Norway 2000-2009. Norsk Epidemiologi, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.5324/nje.v21i1.1427

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 1 (2011): Rusmiddelepidemiologi / Alcohol and drug use epidemiology"

Section

Articles

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