ALCOHOL, PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS OF ABUSE, AND TRAFFIC SAFETY IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS. * G. A. Moorehead, M.D. SYNOPSIS

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1 ALCOHOL, PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS OF ABUSE, AND TRAFFIC SAFETY IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS * G. A. Moorehead, M.D. SYNOPSIS The Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands has undertaken measures to combat alcohol and drug abuse in the territory and has formulated a long-range plan for traffic safety and system improvement. This presentation focuses on the following: 1) the abuse of alcoholic beverages and psychotropic drugs in the U.S. Virgin Islands; 2) the causes for the abuse of alcoholic beverages and psychotropic drugs; 3) the non-medical program for the alcohol abuser and the chemical-dependent person; 4) the alcohol and psychotropic drug involvement in crashes and fatalities; 5) the indigenous drugs of abuse; 6) the polydrug abusers; 7) traffic safety; and 8) traffic accident prevention. INTRODUCTION The (St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix) are located 1,434 nautical miles southeast of New York City, 991 miles south of Miami, Florida, and 40 miles east of Puerto Rico. The islands enjoy a near perfect tropical climate. Nevertheless, the characteristics, roads, and road condition of each island are different. St. Thomas has a land area of 32 square miles with a population of 57,251 residents (1982 census). Ths island is of volcanic origin with peaks rising to 1,500 feet (450 m) above sea level. The excellent natural harbor at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, makes it one of the favorite ports-of-call for cruise ships. It is the tourist center of the 3 islands and is also the capital. St. John, the smallest of the 3 islands, both in area and population, is quite mountainous. The population is 3,190 residents (1982 census). The land area is 20 square miles. In addition, most of the island is included within the Virgin Islands National Park in which commercial activity is restricted. St. Croix, with its larger land area of 84 square miles, is relatively flat and is suitable for agricultural * Department of Health, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00801, USA. 975

2 and industrial development on a limited scale. The island has 2 harbors, one at each of the 2 towns, Christiansted and Frederiksted. The population is 64,159 residents (1982 census). A review of statistical reports (Tables 1-5), law enforcement records, hospital reports, and my own investigational and research studies indicates the increasing trends in the use of alcohol and the incidence Driver While Intoxicated (DWI). The low prices of alcoholic beverages (rum, vodka, beer, gin, whisky, wines, etc.) and the easy accessibility are 2 of the factors which place alcoholic beverages as the Number 1 drug of abuse. As a freeport and traditional producer of rum, the have a history closely associated with the overindulgence of alcohol. Further, the gay and festive image of travel posters and advertisements have popularized and associated the use of alcohol with fun and frolic. Table 1 Registered Vehicles Fiscal Year St. Thomas St. John Sub-total St. Croix Virgin Islands Private Vehicle: Cars 11, Station Wagon Jeeps Rental Cars 1, Van/Panel Motorcycles Bicycles Leased Cars Sub-total 14, ,277 12,094 24, ,706 2, ,085 1, , ,155 30,923 Taxis: Cars Jeeps 0 7 Station Wagon Van/Bus Safari Bus Pickup Bus 0 29 Sub-total 1, ,

3 (Cont.) Table 1 Registered Vehicles Fiscal Year St. Thomas St. John Sub-total St. Croix Virgin Islands Public and non-passenger vehicles Safari Tour Buses 20 Public Buses 9 School Buses 24 Jeeps 36 Van/Panel 454 Truck & Pickup 1,734 Trailers 7 Crane 4 Other Heavy Equipment 36 Leased Truck/Van 119 Hearse ,884 2, , Sub-total 2, ,606 6,253 6,253 Government Vehicles: Cars 543 Buses 6 Trucks 192 Ambulances 8 Motorcycles 3 Other Heavy Equipment 16 Station Wagon 0 Jeeps 0 Van/Panel 0 Trailer 0 Federal Sub-total ,682 GRAND TOTAL 19,018 1,377 20,

4 Table 2 Miles of Road Fiscal Year Number Projected of Miles Miles Rural St. Ihomas St. John St. Croix Number Projected of Miles Miles Urban St. Thomas St. John 3 9 St. Croix Christiansted Frederiksted Table 3 Fiscal Year Driver's Licenses Issued St. Thomas 14,466 St. John 684 St. Croix 26,165 Total 41,315 Table 4 D. W. I. (Driving While Intoxicated) Approximate Figures Local Residentes Tourists i5c Visitors St. Thomas 0.5-1% Age (20-40) 0.5-1% Age (30-40) St. John 0.5-1% Age (20-40) 0.5% - Age (30-40) St. Croix 1-1.5% Age (20-40) 1% - Age (30-40) 978

5 Table 5 Traffic Data Fiscal Years and Change Traffic Accidents St. Thomas/St. John 3,271 3,310 St. Croix ,324 Total , % % - 3.6% Traffic Tickets Issued St. Thomas/St. John 9,722 17,034 St. Croix Total 13,706 26, % % % Traffic Injuries St. Thomas/St. John St. Croix Total 1, % % % Traffic Deaths St. Thomas/St. John 5 7 St. Croix 7 11 Total % + 50% Registered Motor Vehicles St. Thomas/St. John 21,349 20,395 St. Croix ,007 Total 42,898 40, % - 7.2% - 5.8% 979

6 Roads and Road Condition The roads, road conditions, and the driving of vehicles on the left side of the road are contributing factors to traffic fatalities. Drivers under the influence of alcoholic beverages, especially the tourists and visitors, are prone to traffic fatalities because of the unfamiliarity of traffic signs, regulations, and the driving of the motor vehicle on the left side of the road with its winding curves. The last 2 major hurricanes (David and Frederick of 1979) have caused so much damages to the roads that the Federal Highway Administration (Washington, D. C.) has provided $4.5 millions for road improvements for Fiscal Year When Traffic Accidents Occur The last 3 months of the year (October, November, December) produce the most accidents. Fifty-one percent of all accidents occur between 1200 and 1900 hours. The least number of accidents occur between 0100 and 0500 hours. On St. Thomas and St. Croix, the worst hours are between 1500 and 1700 hours. The territory has now adopted the International Traffic Signs which make it easier for the visitor. Moreover, preventive measures which are now in operation to decrease the number of traffic accidents are the use of breath analyzes to test for the blood alcohol level, expansion of roads and streets to facilitate more motor vehicles, laboratory testing and screening for psychotropic drugs of abuse, stricter legislation, community awareness through the mass media (T.V., radio, local newspaper), and stricter enforcement by the criminal justice system. Requirements for obtaining a drivers license in the The age limit for obtaining a driver's license in the territory is 18 years. The examinations consists of 2 parts: road test, and written examination. The written examination is based on a score from questions. The road and written examinations are conducted by the Department of Public Safety of the Virgin Islands. A learner's permit may be acquired at the age of 16 which allows the individual to drive at a motor vehicle accompanied by a licensed adult driver. 980

7 The speed limit for motor vehicles in the U. S. Virgin Islands is 25 miles per hour in the city, and 35 miles per hour in the country. Prearrest Breath Tests METHODS, MATERIALS, AND PROCEDURES FOR DETERMINATION OF D. W. I. Prior to administering any prearrest breath test, the police officer must advise the person that he or she has the right to refuse to take such a test and that a refusal shall not be grounds for the revocation or suspension of a license to operate a motor vehicle, and prior to administering such a test, the police officer must obtain the written consent of the person to whom such a test is to be administered. The results of any prearrest breath test administered and any refusals to take such a test are not admissible into evidence in any civil or criminal proceeding. Chemical Tests Any person who drives, operates, or has under his physical control a motor vehicle in the territory is deemed to have given his consent to chemical testing of his blood, breath, or urine for the purpose of determining the alcoholic content of his blood, provided that such testing is incidental to a lawful arrest and administered at the direction of a police officer having reasonable cause through information obtained from the administration of a prearrest breath test. If the results of such chemical testing indicate that such a person has 0.10% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood, it will result in the suspension or revocation of the person's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle if such a person is a resident, or the person's permit or privilege to operate a motor vehicle if such person is a non-resident, for a period of 90 days or for a period of 1 year if the person has previously been convicted of a violation. The police officer making the arrest must determine which chemical test is to be administered; if the police officer indicates more than one chemical test is required to measure accurately the alcoholic content of a person's blood, additional chemical tests, as specified by the police officer shall be administered. 981

8 DISCUSSION Medical and Non-Medical Programs for the Alcohol Abuser and D. W. I. are offered by the following agencies: 1. The Department of Health The Department of Health is the single state agency for the government for participation of all programs of the federal government relating to alcoholism and drug addiction (Public Law , Section 409 of the Drug Abuse Treatment Act of 1972, Federal Regulation 42 CFR 54 B). The Division of Mental Health, Alcoholism, and Drug Dependency Services which is an integral part of the Department of Health has been designated by the Commissioner of Health of the U. S. Virgin Islands for the administration of programs for alcoholism and drug addiction. The functions, duties, and responsibilities of the Division are the formulating, establishing, organizing, and developing programs of action against alcoholism and drug addiction covering the phases of prevention, care, treatment, surveys, investigations, research, carrying out of educational activities, consultations, and technical assistance to other agencies of the government and non-governmental organizations. It provides these services: a. Individual and group counseling; b. Family counseling; c. Individual and group psychotherapy; d. After care program; e. Crisis intervention; f. Training; and g. Education and information 2. The Department of Education Training in Drug Education is offered to teachers, supervisors, principals, and personnel in the public school system. Lectures, seminars, and conferences are held on the 3 islands throughout the school year; they are organized and conducted by the Departments of Health and of Education, and by non-governmental organizations. 3. The Department of Social Welfare The Department provides vocational rehabilitation services, public assistance and other social services to all alcohol abusers who meet the eligibility requirements of the Welfare Department. 982

9 4. The Department of Public Safety A traffic bureau has been established within the Department of Public Safety. The functions of the bureau are to regulate all traffic rules and regulations, to obtain free flow of traffic, and to reduce accidents. The bureau has the authorization to stop any motor vehicle at any time in order to check the license of the driver, and if it is in his opinion that the drivers is under the influence of intoxicating alcoholic beverages. 5. The Department of Public Works, Division of Roads and Highways, Unit of Highway Planning and Research The Division of Roads and Highways, Unit of Highway Planning and Research Department of Public Works, is responsible for the collection of all transportation related data pertaining primarily to all Federal Aid Routes in the territory. It provides engineering and technical services for all road projects and supervision of all administrative, engineering, construction and/or maintenance of all Public Roads and Highways. CONCLUSION In order to decrease the number of traffic fatalities and traffic accidents by motor vehicle drivers under the influence of intoxicating liquors, the government has initiated and established the following programs and legislation: 1. Bill No (Fifteenth Legislature of the Virgin Islands of the United States, December 2, 1983.) "To Modify the provisions of law pertaining to the driving of motor vehicles while under the influence of intoxicating liquors or controlled substances and for other purposes. The bill arranged for the use of prearrest breath tests and chemical tests. 2. The establishment of a "Drunk Driving Hotline" by the Commissioner of Public Safety, which is used to identify drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs and to remove them from the road. 983

10 3. The development of a plan to increase law enforcement by the Commissioner of Public Safety, Department of Public Safety, and to inform the public of the steps to be taken to increase enforcement of the laws relating to driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. 4. The establishment of an educational program in the schools to educate children on the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The program should be developed to reach all grade levels and to involve parents in the program. 5. The establishment of a substance abuse prevention and educational program for offenders and the coordination of this effort with representatives of the Department of Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole. The programs which have been established and developed by the Government should serve as a deterrent in the reduction of traffic fatalities for the motor vehicle drivers under the influence of intoxicating liquors, and as a warning signal for the potential offenders. REFERENCES Department of Public Safety. (1983). Annual Report. Fiscal Year Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U. S. Virgin Islands. Department of Public Works. (1983). Office of Roads and Highways. Unit of Highway Planning and Research. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas Moorehead, G. A. (1980). The Incidence of Traffic Accidents in the and the Causative Factors. Presented to the Satellite Conference to the Eighth International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs, and Traffic Safety. Humanisthuset, Umea, Sweden. June 23-25, Moorehead, G. A. (1982). Road Highway Safety in the. Presented to The First Nordic Congress on Traffic Medicine ("The Man, The Cause, and the Victim",) Linkoping, Sweden. June

STOP-DWI stands for Special Traffic Options Program for Driving While Intoxicated.

2015 ANNUAL REPORT STOP-DWI STOP-DWI stands for Special Traffic Options Program for Driving While Intoxicated. New York s STOP-DWI program is the Nations first and, to date, only self sustaining impaired