Screening for Drugs in Oral Fluid: Drug Driving and Illicit Drug Use in a Sample of Queensland Motorists

Abstract

Objective: Random roadside oral fluid testing is becoming increasingly popular as an apprehension and deterrence-based countermeasure to reduce drug driving. This article outlines research conducted to provide an estimate of the extent of drug driving in a sample of drivers in Brisbane, Queensland.

Methods: Oral fluid samples were collected from 1587 drivers who volunteered to participate at random breath testing (RBT) sites. Illicit substances tested for included cannabis (delta 9 tetrahydrocannibinol [THC]), meth/amphetamines, and cocaine. Drivers also completed a self-report questionnaire regarding their drug-related driving behaviors.

Results: Oral fluid samples from 58 participants (3.7%) were confirmed positive for at least one illicit substance. The most common drugs detected in oral fluid were ecstasy (n = 35) followed by cannabis (n = 20). Similarly, cannabis was confirmed as the most common self-reported drug combined with driving. Nevertheless, individuals who tested positive to any drug through oral fluid analysis were also more likely to report the highest frequency of drug driving.

Conclusions: This research provides evidence that drug driving is relatively prevalent on some Queensland roads, and thus the behavior presents as a serious road safety threat. This article will further outline the study findings and present possible directions for future drug driving research.

Keywords:

• Drug driving
• Oral fluid
• Roadside drug screening

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This project was funded by an internal Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety–Queensland/Motor Accident Insurance Commission grant and was granted ethical approval by the Queensland University of Technology Human Research Ethics Committee. A major strength of the study, and the key to its successful implementation and completion, was the collaborative relationship between the researchers and representatives from the Queensland Police Service. Without their support, this project would not have been possible.

Notes

¹Workplace health and safety requirements resulted in the current roadside project only being implemented with the presence of the Queensland Police Service. RBT operations were deemed to be the most compatible roadside activity and thus drug testing procedures corresponded within traditional RBT operational hours; i.e., 5 pm–1 am.

²The procedure usually consisted of RBT operational police officers informing motorists (who had given a breath sample) that they had the opportunity to participate in an anonymous research drug driving project being conducted approximately 50 m down the road.

^a Ten respondents did not provide their gender.

^b Fifteen respondents screened positive to more than one drug.