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f you're the kind of person who judges people by
Page 32
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stereotypes, you'll know doubt subscribe to the view that all drug abusers are long-haired layabouts who masquerade as students and are too lazy or too stoned— or both—to get a job. It's true that the experiments with illegal drugs often begin in adolescence, but the facts about regular users paint a very different picture.
According to government statistics, nearly one in three people who have used drugs in the past year are over 25. Of those convicted of offences, from possession of soft drugs like cannabis to peddling harder stuff like heroin, 25% are over 30.
Drugs have penneated all levels of British society and their use has increased substantially in recent years. The 1998 British Crime Survey showed that habitual use of cannabis is common, and the number of cocaine users is rising rapidly. Many users are professional, respectable people who, like truck drivers, hold down responsible jobs where their level of performance is critical to the safety of others. This realisation has begun to focus attention on what effect drug abuse might be having on road traffic accidents and raised the prospect of random roadside drug tests.
The high life
The dangers were dramatically highlighted two years ago when an RAC survey indicated that one in five drivers killed in RTAs could be under the influence of illicit drugs. Using samples taken from 619 fatalities, including 284 drivers, the RAC discovered that many showed traces of cannabis. It also reported that the drug was regularly smoked by one in ten drivers and that the use of banned narcotics had risen by G00% since the 19805.
The RAC has urged the government to undertake research into the extent of drug abuse among drivers. It fears many drug users are unaware of the effects their habit can have on their driving ability and wants nationwide education campaigns to warn of these dangers. It is also calling for roadside drug testing.
The prospect of professional drivers being subjected to random testing moved a step closer earlier this month when the Transport Research Laboratory announced the results of a study into the effects of cannabis on driving.
It was asked by ministers to investigate if the drug impaired ability behind the wheel. A group of 15 volunteers completed tests in a driving simulator while under the influence of high doses of cannabis. The researchers measured each volunteer's accuracy at steering the car, response to hazards and braking times, Co-ordination, balance and timing were also monitored.
The study revealed that the guinea pig drivers drove more slowly—probably in a bid to compensate for being stoned—and found it more difficult to follow a figure-of-eight route. But their reaction times to motorway hazards were not significantly affected and the team concluded that, although the drug can have an adverse effect, it was less severe than alcohol or fatigue.
As far as other illegal drugs are concerned, there is little research evidence to say how they influence drivers' safety on the road. A major fear is that many drivers who use illicit drugs will be unaware of the effect on their skills once they're back behind the wheel.
As the law stands, the police have no powers to test motorists for drug abuse, but that may change if the government decides it is in the public interest.
Trials backed by the Department of Transport involving several police forces are assessing new testing devices which are designed to detect traces of drugs in drivers' sweat and saliva.
One of these, called Drugwipe, is a lore
head swab used to pick up signs of cannabis, amphetamines (including ecstasy), cocaine, opiates and drugs such as valium in sweat. IF positive, the swab changes colour. Another technique involves taking a tiny sample of saliva to look for traces of drugs.
These trials have been running for more than two years, but the DOT has yet to say if they will lead to a nationwide system of random checks.
Coming down hard
However, the Association of Chief Police Officers of Scotland is believed to be considering regular tests involving a physical assessment of drivers' ability to maintain balance and co-ordination. Under this scheme, if the police spotted a truck or car being driven erratically, they would pull it over and subject the driver to a series of checks similar to those used to spot drunk drivers before the breathalyser test became standard practice.
The police would first examine the size of the driver's pupils to see if they were narrowed or dilated, which could indicate the presence of drugs. They would then tell the driver to:
• Walk nine steps, putting one foot directly in front of the other, turn and walk back (a technique still used in some American States to check for alcohol abuse); • Estimate the passing of 30 seconds; • Stand on one leg and count upwards from 1,000; • Touch the tip of his nose six times with alternate hands.
Within the haulage industry, there is no clear picture of the level of drug abuse, either by drivers or other members of staff. Some of the larger logistics companies are thought to have their own in-house testing schemes, but senior managers in some smaller outfits say it has not emerged as an issue for them yet.
Bobby Bayne of Dundee-based firm Scott & Fyfe says that in a small company like his, everybody knows each other and it would probably not be hard to spot a drug user: 'We are a small company. Most of our lads are all from the same town and I know them all."
But, as the evidence is beginning to show, not being aware of a problem does not mean there is no problem. Only if routine drug testing does get the go-ahead will the industry really find out once and For all what it's dealing with.