[Substances other than alcohol found in the blood among Danish road-users during a week in 1996].

INTRODUCTION

This investigation is the Danish contribution to a Nordic comparative study of other drugs than alcohol found in road users.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

255 blood samples received from the police for alcohol and/or drug determination during one week in 1996 were investigated for drugs.

RESULTS

56 (22%) of the 255 blood samples were positive for other drugs than alcohol. Cannabis was detected in 11%, benzodiazepines, mainly diazepam and flunitrazepam, in 9% and amphetamine in 5% of the blood samples.

DISCUSSION: The police suspected other drugs than alcohol in 3% of the 255 blood samples, but drugs were detected in 22%. This investigation showed that the frequency of other drugs than alcohol was similar in Denmark and Norway for the blood samples with an alcohol concentration above the statutory limit. This contrasts with the fact that the number of blood samples from road users investigated for substances other than alcohol is about 200/year in Denmark and 4000/year in Norway.