Pubdate: Tue, 25 Oct 2005
Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 The Sydney Morning Herald
Contact:  http://www.smh.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/441
Author: Alexandra Smith
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving)

78% OF CANNABIS USERS DRIVE SOON AFTER SMOKING

Drivers are happy to jump behind the wheel just an hour after smoking
drugs, but most say they would be less likely to if they ran the risk
of being randomly tested on the roadside.

A study of cannabis users in Sydney and Newcastle found that 78 per
cent have driven not long after smoking drugs and 27 per cent admitted
to driving under the influence of cannabis at least once a week.

The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research and the National Drug
and Alcohol Research Centre surveyed 320 people to find out what
measures would stop them from driving under the influence.

Most people admitted that driving under the influence affected their
skills, but the study could not find a link between smokers and
accident risk, a concern for the researchers.

Don Weatherburn, director of the crime bureau, said the results should
be treated with caution.

"There is enough evidence around to justify determined efforts to
reduce the rate at which people drive under the influence of cannabis,
whether alone or in conjunction with alcohol or drugs," Dr Weatherburn
said. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake