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Citation |
Giovanardi D, Castellana CN, Pisa S, Poppi B, Pinetti D, Bertolini A, Ferrari A. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2005; 80(1): 135-138. |
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Affiliation |
Emergency Department, Policlinico di Modena, Largo del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
15927417 |
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Abstract |
Among those drivers responsible for injury-producing traffic crashes in a town of northern Italy (Modena) and its surrounding territory, we evaluated the percentage that was positive for alcohol or other drugs affecting CNS function. A total of 115 crash-responsible injured drivers (90 males and 25 females) consecutively presenting to the emergency department at the University Hospital of Modena were enrolled. A urine sample was requested from each driver; the presence of alcohol or drugs was detected by means of various procedures (enzyme immunoassay, liquid or gas chromatography, mass spectrometry). Among the 115 enrolled drivers, 46 (40%) were positive for at least one drug and/or alcohol. Of these 46 drivers, 66% were positive for a single drug, 25% for two drugs, 9% for three or more drugs. Recent use of marijuana was found most frequently (19% out of the total 115 enrolled drivers), surpassing alcohol (10%), amphetamines (7%) and cocaine (6%); 11 drivers (about 10%) tested positive for benzodiazepines. The majority of drivers positive for benzodiazepines were 41-70 years old, while most drivers positive for alcohol or other drugs were 21-40 years old. Thirty-nine (85%) of the positive injured drivers were males and seven (15%) were females. The present data confirm that a significant percentage of injury-producing traffic crashes involves drivers who are under the influence of drugs of abuse, alcohol, or other drugs affecting the CNS. Language: en |