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Drugs, driving and the law: A prospective review

Publication ,  Journal Article
Schwartz, RD; Cohn, VH; Abramson, FP
Published in: Contemporary Drug Problems
January 1, 1977

A brief survey is presented of the effects of drugs on driving skills. The conclusion of this paper is that the present state of physiological and analytical science is not yet sufficiently advanced to permit an intelligent formulation of any new drug-driving laws which would punish abusers but not legal drug users under conditions where their performance would not be expected to be significantly impaired. The technological competence is available, albeit very expensive and unsuited for routine use. The physiological testing results are still in a poorly defined state, particularly when the added constraint of relating blood concentrations to performance are considered. Keeping the drugged driver off the road is the major goal. Whether future legislation will or can do that is another question. The authors' experience with alcohol leads them to believe that it will not. In the meantime, a full-scale campaign on the part of physicians and pharmacists to warn patients of the dangers of driving while using drugs is essential.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Contemporary Drug Problems

ISSN

0091-4509

Publication Date

January 1, 1977

Volume

6

Issue

3

Start / End Page

283 / 306

Related Subject Headings

  • 16 Studies in Human Society
  • 11 Medical and Health Sciences
 

Citation

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Schwartz, R. D., Cohn, V. H., & Abramson, F. P. (1977). Drugs, driving and the law: A prospective review. Contemporary Drug Problems, 6(3), 283–306.
Schwartz, R. D., V. H. Cohn, and F. P. Abramson. “Drugs, driving and the law: A prospective review.” Contemporary Drug Problems 6, no. 3 (January 1, 1977): 283–306.
Schwartz RD, Cohn VH, Abramson FP. Drugs, driving and the law: A prospective review. Contemporary Drug Problems. 1977 Jan 1;6(3):283–306.
Schwartz, R. D., et al. “Drugs, driving and the law: A prospective review.” Contemporary Drug Problems, vol. 6, no. 3, Jan. 1977, pp. 283–306.
Schwartz RD, Cohn VH, Abramson FP. Drugs, driving and the law: A prospective review. Contemporary Drug Problems. 1977 Jan 1;6(3):283–306.
Journal cover image

Published In

Contemporary Drug Problems

ISSN

0091-4509

Publication Date

January 1, 1977

Volume

6

Issue

3

Start / End Page

283 / 306

Related Subject Headings

  • 16 Studies in Human Society
  • 11 Medical and Health Sciences