Earlier arrests among apprehended drivers in Norway with heroin and ecstasy detection

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1 Earlier arrests among apprehended drivers in Norway with heroin and ecstasy detection A. S. Christophersen¹, A. M. Hausken¹ and S. Skurtveit¹ ² ¹National Institute of Forensic Toxicology, P.O. Box 495 Sentrum, 5 Oslo, Norway ²Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 44 Oslo, Norway Keywords Drugged driving, heroin, ecstasy, comparison of repeat offences Abstract Background: An increasing number of apprehended drivers with heroin and ecstasy detection have been recorded in Norway during the last years. Objective: To investigate possible earlier arrests due to drunken or drugged driving comparing the rearrest rate between the two groups of drivers. Methods: By using the nation-wide database of National Institute of Forensic Toxicology, Oslo, Norway, selecting drivers apprehended during 1998 and 1999 (n=913) due to the suspicion of influence by drugs. All drivers providing blood samples positive on ecstasy (represented by MDMA) (n=19, 2,1%) or urine samples positive on 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM, a heroin metabolite) (n=637, 7,1%), were further selected. The two groups of drivers were followed retrospectively for 15 years, recording possible earlier arrests and the drugs detected at the first arrests. Results: The median ages for drivers with 6-MAM or MDMA detection at selection, were 32 and 24 years, respectively. 78% (n= 417) from the heroin group had earlier been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol was the most frequently detected drug at these drivers first arrests, mostly earlier than 1992 (54%, n=226). 47 % (n=83) from the ecstasy group had earlier been arrested, and amphetamine was the most frequently detected drug at their first arrests. Few drivers from the ecstasy group (%, n= 25) were recorded with arrests earlier than 1992, due to representation from a younger age group. Conclusion: Our results show that drivers combining heroin with driving are generally represented by recidivists, frequently with alcohol at their first arrests, recorded several years earlier. Drivers with ecstasy are younger, with a lower rate of earlier arrests, frequently with amphetamine detected at their first arrests, closer up to the time of selection. The high rate of earlier arrests among these drivers shows that the society needs to find a response in addition to fines, imprisonment and withdrawal of the driving licence, which is the standard penalty according to the Norwegian Road Traffic Act. Introduction During the last years, driving under the influence of alcohol has gained considerable attention as a problem to road traffic safety (1, 2, 3, 4). The number of drivers apprehended in Norway due to drugs other than alcohol has increased more than % during the 9-ies (199: 216 cases, 1999: 48 cases, 4,5 mill inhabitants) (5). The most commonly detected drugs during

2 these years were tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), amphetamine and different benzodiazepines (BZD). However, during the same time period, other impairing drugs also appeared more frequently among apprehended drivers, such as heroin (detected as 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) in urine) and ecstasy. In 1991, 6-MAM was detected in urine samples from seven apprehended drivers, increasing to 3 positive cases in Before 199, 6-MAM was detected mainly in autopsy cases. From that time, the use of heroin increased steadily in Norway due to increased availability as recorded by customs and the police (6). Ecstasy (represented by MDMA - methylenedioksymethyl-amphetamine) was detected among apprehended drivers for the first time in 1995 (n=6) and the number of positive cases increased steadily to n=123 until Seized for the first time in Norway early during the 9-ies, ecstasy is a new drug. Earlier studies have documented a rearrest rate among apprehended drugged drivers to be more than twice (approximately % within 3 years) compared to drunken drivers (7). The same studies have documented that alcohol was the compound most frequently detected in the first offence from this group of drivers. The purpose of the present study was to follow retrospectively two groups of drivers apprehended during 1998 and 1999 using heroin or ecstasy, recording the frequency of earlier arrests due to alcohol or drugs and the most frequently detected drugs at first arrests. A comparison between these two groups of drivers was included. Material and methods During 1998 and 1999, the National Institute of Forensic Toxicology received 913 blood and urine samples from drivers apprehended due to the suspicion of influence by drugs. All samples were analysed for alcohol and drugs using an analytical program covering the most frequently abused drugs in Norway (alcohol, amphetamines, cannabinoides, opiates, BZD and cocaine) (2). Heroin group: The heroin metabolite 6-MAM was detected in 7,1 % (n=637) of the cases received during 1998 and 1999, representing 542 different persons, as some of the drivers were apprehended several times during the selection years. Ecstasy group: MDMA was found in 2,1% (n=19) blood samples received during the selection years, representing 177 different drivers. For all selected drivers with 6-MAM or MDMA detection, the frequency of multi-drug use and other drugs detected at selection was recorded. All drivers who could be traced by a person identification number were followed retrospectively for 15 years back to 1985, recording possible earlier arrests due to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and the drugs detected at first arrests. Drivers using heroin or ecstasy were compared with regard to sex and age distribution, using their age at first selection during 1998 or 1999 as basis. The two groups of drivers were also compared to the whole group of drugged drivers apprehended in Norway during the same time interval. The statistical significance was calculated by using Chi-square test, taking P =,5 as the level of significant differences. Results and discussion Heroin group: The median age for drivers with 6-MAM detection was 32 years. 87 % (n=554) of the heroin drivers were men. In 17% of the cases (n=111), 6-MAM was the only drug detected. For the rest of the cases, heroin had been combined with one or more illegal drugs which were frequently combined with psychoactive prescribed drugs and/or alcohol (49 %, n=312). For 34% (n=214) from the heroin group, psychoactive prescribed drugs, in some cases combined with alcohol were found.

3 When followed retrospectively back to 1985, 78% (n=417) of the drivers had earlier been apprehended due to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, representing 2193 cases, or 5,3 cases per recidivist driver. The rearrest rate among male (81%, n=373) was significantly higher (P<,1) compared to female drivers (56%, n=44). For 54% (n=226) of the recidivist drivers, their first arrest was recorded before 1992 and for 37% (n=156) this was recorded during the period from For drivers with their first arrest before 1992, alcohol was the most frequently detected drug (66%, n=149), followed by BZD (19%, n=43) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (%, n=22). For those who were arrested for the first time between , BZD was the most frequently detected drug group (43%, n=83), followed by THC (35%, n=66), amphetamine and alcohol (representing each 25%, n=48) and 6-MAM (21%, n=41). Ecstasy group: The median age for drivers with MDMA detection was 24 years. 91 % (n=173) of the ecstasy drivers were men. In 2 % of the cases (n=4), ecstasy was the only drug detected. For 91 % of the cases (n=173), ecstasy had been combined with one or more illegal drugs, in some cases combined with psychoactive prescribed drugs and/or alcohol. Psychoactive prescribed drugs and/or alcohol were detected among 7% (n=13) of the drivers. When followed retrospectively back to 1985, 47% (n=83) of the drivers had earlier been arrested due to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, representing 352 cases, or 4,2 cases per recidivist driver. The rearrest rate among male (48%, n=77) was higher compared to female drivers (35%, n=6). For % (n=25) of the recidivist drivers, their first arrest was recorded before 1992 and % (n=33) during the period from For drivers with their first arrest before 1992, alcohol was the most frequently detected drug (76 %, n=19), followed by BZD, amphetamine and THC (all 8%, n=2). For those who were arrested for the first time between , amphetamine was the most frequently detected drug group (52%, n=), followed by THC (34%, n=) and alcohol (33%, n=19). Comparison of drivers with heroin and ecstasy detection When comparing the two groups, the drivers with ecstasy detection were younger compared to drivers using heroin, the latter having more similarities to the whole group of drugged drivers arrested in Norway during the same time period (fig. 1). 6 < > Fig. 1 Age of drivers using ecstasy or heroin compared to age of drugged drivers in Norway during Ecstasy drivers Drugged drivers Heroin drivers

4 Rearrest rate among heroin drivers was significantly higher (P<,1) compared to ecstasy drivers. The majority of the heroin group was recorded with their first arrest before 1992 (fig. 2). Fewer heroin drivers (8%) were recorded for the first time during the selection years , compared to the ecstasy drivers (%) (fig 2). 6 Fig. 3 and 4 show drugs most frequently detected at first arrest in the ecstasy (fig. 3) and heroin (fig. 4) group, drivers in each group being categorised according to time of first arrest. For both groups, among drivers with the first arrest recorded before 1992, alcohol was the most frequently detected drug. However, differences were recorded for the two groups among drivers with their first arrest between , as amphetamine was the most frequently detected drug in the ecstasy group (fig. 3) and BZD in the heroin group (fig. 4). Based upon these findings, the ecstasy group might be some kind of different, as the majority used an illegal substance at the first arrest. For both groups, the rearrest rate among men was higher compared to women. For the heroin group, this difference was significant (P<,1) Before Fig. 2 Time of first arrest for recdivists from each group of drivers with heroin and ecstasy detection during , respectively. First arrest before 1992 First arrest Alcohol Amphetamine THC BZD Ecstasy Fig. 3 Drugs most frequently found at first arrest among drivers in the ecstasy group, who are separated according to time of first arrest. Heroin group Ecstasy group

5 7 6 First arrest before 1992 First arrest Alcohol Amphetamine THC BZD 6-MAM Fig. 4 Drugs most frequently found at first arrest among drivers in the heroin group, who are separated according to time of first arrest. Comparison with drugs seizure For both groups of drivers, the increasing occurrence of 6-MAM and MDMA detection among drivers, respectively, were in accordance with the increasing number of seizures recorded by the police and customers during the same time period. The same tendency also has been shown for other drugs commonly detected among apprehended drivers (7). Conclusions Our results show that drivers with heroin and ecstasy detection are frequently multi-drug users. Earlier arrests are usual among drivers in the heroin group as well as the ecstasy group. Drivers with ecstasy detection are younger compared to drivers using heroin, who have a higher rate of rearrest. The majority of the ecstasy drivers was younger and had the first arrest later than 1992, different from the heroin drivers who debuted earlier than For drivers from both groups with their first arrests before 1992, alcohol was the most frequently detected drug, while other drugs (illegal drugs or prescribed psychoactive drugs) were the most frequently detected substances among those arrested for the first time after The occurrence of drugs among apprehended drivers is an indication of the illegal drug situation on the marked in Norway. Both groups have a high rate of earlier arrests. This indicates that the society needs to find a response in addition to fines, imprisonment and withdrawal of the driving licence, which is the standard penalty according to the Norwegian Road Traffic Act. References 1. Lillsunde P, Korte T, Michelson L, et al. Drug usage of drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. A study of one week s samples in 1979 and 1993 in Finland. Forensic Sci. Int. 1995; 77,

6 2. Christophersen AS, Mørland J Drugged driving, a review based on the experience in Norway. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 1997; 47: de Gier JJ, Review of investigation of prevalence of illicit drugs in road traffic in different European countries. Study conducted with the support of the Council of Europe 1998; (Pompidou Group), DGC Seymour A, Oliver JS, Role of drugs and alcohol in impaired drivers and fatally injured drivers in the Strathclyde police region of Scotland, Forensic Sci. Int, 1999; 3, Christophersen AS, The occurrence of drugged driving in Norway- excisting problems and solutions. Blutalkohol, ; 37, Kripos-statistikk: Aarsstatistikk/ Narkinnledning.html. 7. Christophersen AS, Skurtveit S, Grung M, Mørland J. Rearrest rates among drugged drivers in Norway compared to drunken drivers. Drug and Alcohol Dep. 2; 66,