DRUG USE HIGH AMONG COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVERS: STUDY.

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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Truck drivers have challenging jobs and too often they put their own health and safety, as well as others’, in danger by taking stimulants and other drugs to get through a shift, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed evidence from around the world to get a sense of how much is known about how frequently truck drivers use legal and illegal “psychoactive” substances like alcohol, marijuana, amphetamines and cocaine. They found widely varying estimates - based both on drivers’ own reports and on drug testing - but overall use of mind-altering substances was high and linked to poor working conditions. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-drug-truckdrivers-idUSBRE99O0T520131025 Psychoactive drug consumption among truck-drivers: a systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis and meta-regression Few studies have assessed the extent of psychoactive drug consumption in the occupational setting. The trucking sector, in particular, is an important cause for concern, since psychoactive substance use has a relevant impact on the drivers’ health and safety, increasing the risk of injuries and traffic accidents, potentially affecting the general public health as well. A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis was performed in order to provide Occupational Health Professionals and policy-makers with an updated epidemiological perspective regarding this important issue. The results showed a prevalence of overall drug consumption of 27.6% [95%CI 17.8-40.1], particularly high considering illicit CNS-stimulants (amphetamine consumption of 21.3% [95%CI 15.7-28.1], and cocaine consumption of 2.2% [95%CI 1.2-4.1]). It appears that truck-drivers choose stimulant substances as a form of performance enhancing drug, in order to increase productivity. However, chronic and high dose consumption has been shown to decrease driving skills, placing these professional drivers at risk for health and road safety. Further research is required, particularly in Europe, in order to fill the knowledge gap and improve the strength of evidence. Keywords: Truck-drivers, Psychoactive drug consumption, Systematic review, Meta-analysis and meta-regression, Occupational health and wellbeing, Road safety Go to: INTRODUCTION Illicit drug and psychoactive substance misuse is an important contributor to the global burden of disease. According to data presented in the World Drug Review 2018 published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 5.6% of the global population aged 15-64 years has used drugs in the previous year. Moreover, medical and non-medical prescription drug abuse, especially opioids, is reaching epidemic proportions in many parts of the world [1]. These figures represent an increasing trend over the years, especially in developed countries. In its European Drug Report 2018, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) has reported an annual prevalence of drug users equal to 7.4%, and drug-induced mortality surpassing 5 thousands deaths in EU countries [2]. Since working age population makes up most of the overall population, substance use among workers is of primary interest from an occupational perspective. Indeed, it can cause loss of productivity, workplace injuries, absenteeism and increased illness [3]. Few international and national surveys using a systematic approach have studied drug use in the workplace: the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ) report regarding substance use and substance use disorder by industry published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported an annual prevalence of illicit drug use of 9.5% among workers in the USA between the years 2008-2012 [3]. In Europe, there is a lack of up-to-date and high quality epidemiological data about prevalence of drug use in the workplace. The trucking sector, in particular, is an important cause for concern: truck-drivers are a vulnerable working population due to a wide variety of hazards [4-6] including physical and ergonomic ones with the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders [7], hypertension [8], obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and sleep deprivation [9, 10], exposure to diesel exhaust and risk of developing lung cancer [11]. Stressful conditions due to irregular working schedules, night shifts, being distant from families for long periods [12], the need for constant mental alertness, and high productivity demands [13] increase risky behaviors such as smoking, drinking, using psychoactive substances, and having casual sexual contacts [14]. In particular, psychoactive drugs affect the functioning of the brain by delaying cognitive and executive functions, which may lead to impaired driving [15]. These can have a relevant impact on truck-drivers’ health, as well as on work safety, increasing the risk of injuries and traffic accidents [16, 17], often fatal: 21% of all lethal injuries occurred among “transportation and warehousing” workers in Iowa in 2005-2009 had a positive toxicology test for substance use [18]. Indeed, while the effects of ethanol on driving have been thoroughly studied by the literature, as shown in the previously published article by the Authors [19], the impact of other substances on driving is not as clear. The vast variety of substance classes, each with specific effects on physical and mental health, requires a detailed understanding of the interaction and effect on work specific tasks. Italian law has identified several occupational categories as at risk of harm to their and others’ health and safety, to which it prohibits drug use, even occasional [20]. Nevertheless, not much is known regarding on site health surveillance and drug testing in this occupational sector.READ MORE https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6614564/ https://datac.ca/canadian-trucking-alliance-pushes-for-drug-testing-regulations/?locale=en https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/trucks-marijuana-cannabis-pot-testing-1.4859686 https://news.danatec.com/dot-non-dot-and-the-canadian-model-for-drug-and-alcohol-testing-whats-the-difference-85797/ https://theindependent.ca/commentary/the-nonagenarians-notebook/fatal-truck-crashes-are-a-serious-problem-in-canada-fuelled-by-government-inaction/ https://tirf.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Heavy_Trucks_Report.pdf