Concentration of drugs in blood of suspected impaired drivers

Augsburger, Marc; Donzé, Nicolas; Ménétrey, Annick; Brossard, Clarisse; Sporkert, Frank; Giroud, Christian; Mangin, Patrice

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2005.04.025

Cited by 97 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In addition, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is frequently detected in the blood or saliva of impaired drivers suspicious of erratic driving or involved in road accidents [1,2]. Although urine and plasma are commonly utilized for cannabinoid testing, the acceptance of oral fluid as an alternative testing device matrix has increased in the past two decades [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Cannabinoid Concentrations in Plasma, Oral Fluid and Urine in Occasional Cannabis Smokers After Smoking Cannabis Cigarette

et al. 2016

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-Purpose. A randomized cross-over, double blind placebo controlled study of smoked cannabis was carried out on occasional cannabis smokers. The objective of this research was to describe the pharmacokinetic parameters of THC and its metabolites in plasma, oral fluid and urine, from samples obtained simultaneously to provide estimations of THC and metabolites concentrations after smoking a cannabis cigarette. Methods. Blood, oral fluid and urine samples were collected until up to 72 h after smoking the cannabis cigarette (4% of delta-9-tetrathydrocannabinol (THC)). THC, 11-OH-THC and THC-COOH were analyzed by gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated from these data. Results. Eighteen male healthy adults participated in the study. In total, 560 plasma, 288 oral fluid and 448 urine samples were quantified for cannabinoids. Plasma, oral fluid and urine pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. A wide range of median THC Cmax (1.6-160.0 µg/L and 55.4-123120.0 µg/L in plasma and oral fluid, respectively), 11-OH-THC Cmax (0-11.1 µg/L in plasma) and THC-COOH Cmax (1.0-56.3 µg/L in plasma) was observed. When expressed as a percentage of the total available THC dose, and corrected for molar equivalents, mean percentage of total THC dose excreted was 1.9 +/-2.5 % with range of 0.2-7.5%. This high inter-individual variability was also observed on other calculated pharmacokinetic parameters. Conclusion. Prediction of plasma THC concentration from THC oral fluid concentration or from THC-COOH urinary concentrations is not feasible due to the large variations observed. The results from this study support the assumption that a positive oral fluid THC result or a positive urine fluid result are indicative of a recent cannabis exposure.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Cannabinoid Concentrations in Plasma, Oral Fluid and Urine in Occasional Cannabis Smokers After Smoking Cannabis Cigarette

et al. 2016

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“…Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the world, and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is frequently detected in the blood or oral fluid (OF) of impaired drivers arrested for erratic driving or involved in road accidents [1,2]. Accurate measurements and proper interpretation of cannabinoid concentrations are therefore important in order to reconstruct the accident scene, to evaluate the exact time of consumption, and to assess the level of driving impairment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of cannabinoid concentrations in oral fluid and whole blood between occasional and regular cannabis smokers prior to and after smoking a cannabis joint

et al. 2013

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A cross-over controlled administration study of smoked cannabis was carried out on occasional and heavy smokers. The participants smoked a joint (11 % Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)) or a matching placebo on two different occasions. Whole blood (WB) and oral fluid (OF) samples were collected before and up to 3.5 h after smoking the joints. Pharmacokinetic analyses were obtained from these data. Questionnaires assessing the subjective effects were administered to the subjects during each session before and after the smoking time period. THC, 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH) were analyzed in the blood by gas chromatography or liquid chromatography (LC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The determination of THC, THCCOOH, cannabinol (CBN), and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THC-A) was carried out on OF only using LC-MS/MS. In line with the widely accepted assumption that cannabis smoking results in a strong contamination of the oral cavity, we found that THC, and also THC-A, shows a sharp, high concentration peak just after smoking, with a rapid decrease in these levels within 3 h. No obvious differences were found between both groups concerning THC median maximum concentrations measured either in blood or in OF; these levels were equal to 1,338 and 1,041 μg/L in OF and to 82 and 94 μg/L in WB for occasional and heavy smokers, respectively. The initial WB THCCOOH concentration was much higher in regular smokers than in occasional users. Compared with the occasional smokers, the sensation of confusion felt by the regular smokers was much less while the feeling of intoxication remained almost unchanged.

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“…4 5 The strong male majority found in this study may reflect the type of people Gardai are more likely to stop, but is in line with studies in other countries. 18 Demographically young men are over-represented among drug drivers. 19 This survey highlights the need for education and awareness in relation to DUID.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some countries, including Sweden and Switzerland have introduced zero tolerance for illicit drugs. 18 In Switzerland, this excludes benzodiazepines and methadone, but includes all the most commonly detected drugs in that jurisdiction. 18 Zero tolerance in this context means that any level found in the driver is illegal, and no evidence of impairment is required.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…18 In Switzerland, this excludes benzodiazepines and methadone, but includes all the most commonly detected drugs in that jurisdiction. 18 Zero tolerance in this context means that any level found in the driver is illegal, and no evidence of impairment is required. It is not a reflection on the limit of detection or limit of quantification of the drugs found in analyses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Drinking, drugs and driving in Ireland: more evidence for action

et al. 2006

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Objective: To examine the prevalence of drug positivity among drivers suspected of driving under the influence of an intoxicant, and consequently apprehended by the police in Ireland. Design: 2000 specimens were selected for drug analysis, 1000 with results under the limit for alcohol and 1000 over the limit. The limit for alcohol is 80 mg/100 ml in blood and 107 mg/100 ml in urine. Seven drugs/drug classes were examined; amphetamines, methamphetamines, benzodiazapines, cannabinoids, cocaine, opiates and methadone. Results: 331 (33.1%) of the drivers under the legal limit for alcohol tested positive for one or more of the relevant drugs, and the corresponding figures of drivers over the limit was 142 (14.2%; p,0.001). Using weighted analysis, this corresponds to 15.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 13.5% to 18.1%) of all tested drivers (15.8% in men and 14.5% in women). Among drivers who had minimal blood alcohol levels, 67.9% (95% CI 61.2% to 74.1%) were taking at least one type of drug. The prevalence of taking drugs reduced steadily as alcohol concentrations increased, but still remained as high as 11.1% (95% CI 8.3% to 14.6%) for drivers with blood alcohol concentrations .200 mg/100 ml. Being under the limit for alcohol, stopped in a city area, stopped between 6 am and 4 pm, or 4 pm and 9 pm, and being of a younger age were each independently associated with drug positivity. Conclusions: There are immediate implications for the evidential breath alcohol program and for checkpoints; in the event of a nil or low alcohol reading being obtained, a separate blood or urine specimen should be sought for analysis, which is currently non-routine.

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Concentration of drugs in blood of suspected impaired drivers

Cited by 97 publications

References 11 publications

Comparison of Cannabinoid Concentrations in Plasma, Oral Fluid and Urine in Occasional Cannabis Smokers After Smoking Cannabis Cigarette

Comparison of Cannabinoid Concentrations in Plasma, Oral Fluid and Urine in Occasional Cannabis Smokers After Smoking Cannabis Cigarette

Comparison of cannabinoid concentrations in oral fluid and whole blood between occasional and regular cannabis smokers prior to and after smoking a cannabis joint

Drinking, drugs and driving in Ireland: more evidence for action

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