THE GERMAN ROADSIDE SURVEY 1992-1994. SALIVA ANALYSES FROM AN UNSELECTED DRIVER POPULATION: LICIT AND ILLICIT DRUGS

Abstract

During the German Roadside Survey from 1992 to 1994, breath alcohol measurements were collected from more than 21,000 drivers. In addition, 13,122 drivers were asked for a saliva sample, and 12,213 (93.1 percent) agreed to participate. In 1992, samples were obtained for analysis, for marihuana, amphetamines, opiates, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates. Due to insufficient saliva amounts for some of the samples, 2,234 samples were actually analyzed, with a total of 10,696 single analyses performed. After the results were adjusted to reflect a representative driving population, the following percentages of positives were found: benzodiazepines, 2.7 percent; opiates (including codeine), 0.7 percent; marihuana, 0.6 percent; barbiturates, 0.6 percent; amphetamines, 0.08 percent; cocaine, 0.01 percent. In addition, the saliva was analyzed for acetone and aliphatic alcohols, which have been discussed as markers for alcoholism. (a) For the record of the covering entry of this conference, please see IRRD abstract no 868581.