Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://www.arca.fiocruz.br/handle/icict/10950
Type
ArticleCopyright
Restricted access
Collections
- INI - Artigos de Periódicos [3242]
Metadata
Show full item record
A COMPARISON OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE BY RANDOM MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVERS IN BRAZIL AND NORWAY
Author
Affilliation
Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Division of Forensic Medicine and Drug Abuse Research. Oslo, Norway
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Centro de Pesquisa em Álcool e Drogas. Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas. Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em DST e AIDS. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Centro de Pesquisa em Álcool e Drogas. Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Division of Forensic Medicine and Drug Abuse Research. Oslo, Norway / Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Department of International Public Health. Oslo, Norway
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Faculdade de Farmácica. Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
Universidade de Brasília. Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde. Brasília, DF, Brasil
Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Division of Forensic Medicine and Drug Abuse Research. Oslo, Norway
Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Division of Forensic Medicine and Drug Abuse Research. Oslo, Norway
Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Division of Forensic Medicine and Drug Abuse Research. Oslo, Norway
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Centro de Pesquisa em Álcool e Drogas. Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Centro de Pesquisa em Álcool e Drogas. Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas. Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em DST e AIDS. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Centro de Pesquisa em Álcool e Drogas. Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Division of Forensic Medicine and Drug Abuse Research. Oslo, Norway / Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Department of International Public Health. Oslo, Norway
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Faculdade de Farmácica. Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
Universidade de Brasília. Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde. Brasília, DF, Brasil
Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Division of Forensic Medicine and Drug Abuse Research. Oslo, Norway
Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Division of Forensic Medicine and Drug Abuse Research. Oslo, Norway
Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Division of Forensic Medicine and Drug Abuse Research. Oslo, Norway
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Centro de Pesquisa em Álcool e Drogas. Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
Abstract
Background: A large proportion of road traffic crashes are related to driving under the influence (DUI) of
alcohol or drugs. The aim of this study was to compare the use of alcohol, illegal drugs and psychoactive
medicinal drugs among random drivers in Brazil and Norway, two countries with the same legal limit
for drunk driving, but with marked differences in legislation history, enforcement and penalties for DUI,
and to discuss any differences found.
Methods: Roadside surveys were conducted on Fridays and Saturdays between noon and midnight. Samples
of oral fluid were collected for analysis of drugs, whereas alcohol was determined by breath testing
or by analysis of oral fluid.
Results: High participation rates of 94–97% were obtained in both countries. The weighted prevalence
of driving with alcohol concentrations in breath or oral fluid equivalent to blood alcohol concentrations
(BAC) above 0.2 g/L was 2.7% (95% CI 2.2–3.3) in Brazil and 0.2% (95% CI 0.0–0.5) in Norway. Stimulants
(amphetamines or cocaine) were found in samples from 1.0% (95% CI 0.7–1.4) of drivers in Brazil and 0.3%
(95% CI 0.1–0.7) in Norway. The prevalence of amphetamines was highest among Brazilian truck drivers
(3.6%; 95% CI 2.0–6.4). Tetrahydrocannabinol was found in samples from 0.5% (95% CI 0.3–0.8) of drivers
in Brazil and 1.0% (95% CI 0.6–1.5) in Norway, whereas benzodiazepines or zopiclone were found in 1.0%
(95% CI 0.7–1.4) and 1.7% (95% CI 1.2–2.4) of the samples from Brazil and Norway, respectively.
Conclusions: The difference in the prevalence of alcohol may be related to the fact that Norway has
implemented steps to reduce drunk driving since 1936, whereas Brazil has attempted to do the same
for only a few years. Differences for drugs may be related to different patterns in the use of stimulants,
cannabis and medicines.
Share