Douglas J. Beirness, Ph.D.

Transcription

1 Douglas J. Beirness, Ph.D.

2

3 Overview Ø Background Ø Effects of Cannabis Ø Complexities and Challenges Ø Increasing Awareness Ø Questions

4 Background Ø Alcohol has been focus of impaired driving for over 30 years Ø A great deal has been learned about alcohol and driving Ø This knowledge contributed to evidenceinformed practices and helped reduce deaths and injuries

5 Cannabis Ø Most commonly used drug Ø Age Ø 25+ Ø Age cannabis 20.3% used in past year 8.3% used in past year 5% drove after Ø Age % rode with driver who had used cannabis

6 BC Roadside Survey

7 Fatally Injured Drivers l Drug use among fatally injured drivers is as common as alcohol use u 33.7% vs 38.4% l The pattern is very different than alcohol use

8 Drugs Among Fatally Injured Drivers: Canada Tested Cases N=9,547 Drug Type Drug Negative 66.3% Drug Positive 33.7% Opiates 3.5% Stim 6.3% Dep 17.7% Cannabis 36.9% Polydrug 34.3%

9 Drug Categories According to Age Groups Percent Depressant Cannabis Stimulant Narcotic Age Group

10 Why is Drug Driving different than Drinking and Driving? Ø Drug effects are different than alcohol effects Ø Used differently, for different reasons, under different circumstances Ø Effects can be considerably more variable Ø Varied populations

11 Lab Studies: Effects of Marijuana l Most studies examined the effects of low doses of marijuana l Recent research suggests that decrements in performance are generally dose-related and typically persist for 2 to 4 hours

12 Experimental Studies: Effects of Marijuana l Marijuana using drivers had difficulty: u staying within lane and u monitoring of the speedometer l Also needed increased time: u when passing u to break when a light suddenly changes u to respond to a changing light or sudden sound.

13 Experimental Studies: Effects of Marijuana l The higher the estimated concentration of THC in blood, the greater the driving impairment. l More frequent users showed less impairment than infrequent users at the same dose either because of tolerance or compensatory behavior.

14 Experimental Studies l Marijuana use impairs some driving skills (e.g., tracking) at low doses l Other skills (complex functions) were not impaired until higher doses l Users may attempt to compensate for their deficits by driving more slowly and leaving greater following distance

15 Summary l Marijuana affects of variety of cognitive functions l Modest impairments with simulators and road tests l Marijuana and alcohol appear to have different impairing effects l Combination may be worse than either alone

16 Lab Studies: Differences between Alcohol and Marijuana Alcohol Linear pharmacokinetics; is easier to track over time. THC Functional impairment lags behind THC blood levels. Rapid absorption from the stomach into the bloodstream. Concentrations can be approximated with measures of blood and breath levels. Highly lipophilic (dissolves in fats/ lipids). Concentrates in the adipose (fat) tissue. Impairment cannot be uniformly approximated through concentrations in blood levels.

17 Challenges l Marijuana is difficult to measure l Not a clear relationship between blood concentration and impairment l Considerable variability in effects l Cognitive effects may outweigh motor effects difficult to detect l Cannabis potency is increasing

18 The Greatest Challenge Ø Youth don t see cannabis as a serious threat to their health and safety Ø Natural product Ø Medicine Ø Doesn t impair driving Ø Helps concentration Ø Police can t do anything

19 Increasing Awareness Ø Been doing drinking-driving awareness/prevention for years Ø Few evaluations Ø Look to other areas for health communications strategies that work Ø Smoking Ø HIV/AIDS

20 Resources l Prevention/awareness not new l Resources/tool kits available l General guidelines/ principles

21 Resources l Portfolio of Canadian Standards l The Health Communication Unit l World Lung Foundation massmedia@worldlungfoundation.org l Belgian Road Safety Institute

22 Key Factors for Prevention Programs l Understand the problem l Use strong theoretical model of behaviour change l Involve team of experts/stakeholders l Identify target audience l Link to other events l Be innovative/creative/careful

23 Key Factors for Prevention Programs l Create a tag line or slogan l Conduct formative research l Distribute using appropriate channels l Ensure adequate exposure l Set realistic goals/targets l Evaluate

24 The Message Ø Message is the public face of the campaign Ø Serves to convey information to audience Ø Critical component

25 Key factors l Use multiple media l High quality production l Message and approach are appropriate for the audience l Maintains attention l Message is clear and simple l Believable, credible

26 Key factors l Credible source l Requested action is simple and easy l Evidence for harms/benefits is realistic and accurate l Repeat the message often l Caution using fear or humour l Prompt reflection, contemplation to help promote further discussion

27 Video - Switch l v=n4x2lbxc5o4

28 Video - Blazed l v=n7zsleiilie

29 Conclusions Ø Cannabis poses significant threat to road safety Ø Youth Ø Alcohol Ø Cannabis is different than alcohol Ø Challenges ahead Ø Increased awareness Ø Effective prevention

30 Doug Beirness