PREVALENCE OF ILLICIT DRUG USERS IN A TRANSPORT COMPANY IN
THE CITY OF ANÁPOLIS-GO
PEREIRA,T.Z1, MOMENTÉ,U.R2, ASSUNÇÃO,P.I.D2, GARCIA,M.V.M2, LACERDA,G.C2,
PIRES,F.R2, OLIVEIRA,T.B3, LIMA,R.C.M4
1Academic of UniAnhanguera Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil.
2Academic of University Center of Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil. [email protected]
3Professor of University Center of Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil.
4Professor of UniAnhanguera Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil.
Keywords: Truck drivers, Illicit drugs, Immunochromatography, Psychomotor influence
1. Introduction
The transport sector currently meets an average
of 2.5 million workers, where the trucker make
part of a ½ million of vehicles fleet, being an
important fraction of the economy.1 Especially
among truck drivers is common to use
substances to decrease sleep and relieve fatigue
on long routes. In a recent study found that main
substance for use by truck drivers is alcohol,
followed by marijuana, “rivet” (mixture of
caffeine, alcohol and amphetamines) and
cocaine.2 Amphetamines and cocaine are
considered a widely used psychostimulant.
Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) and its derivatives
(skunk and hashish) are considered psychedelic
by action of compound tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC). His most frequent adverse affects are
related to lack of concentration and memory,
making the learning and performing tasks for
driving or operate machinery.3 Therefore the
aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence
of illicit drug users in a transport company in
Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil, from July 2007 to July
2009.
2. Methods
We performed a database on periodic urine tests
for detection of illicit drugs in drivers of a
company transport. The reports were issued by
the laboratory Megalab located in Anápolis-GO.
As a method for determining illicit drug was
used the immunochromatography by MultiDrug Test (Bioeasy®), indicated for detecting
drugs or metabolites of methamphetamine,
marijuana, morphine, amphetamine, cocaine and
ecstasy in human urine samples. The sample
collect was performed in the laboratory and was
assisted by a technical supervisor, aiming to
avoid possible changes in sample composition.
3. Results
During the study period were analyzed 540
samples for testing for illicit drugs, 6% (31)
were positive. Among the positive samples
74.2% (23) indicate cocaine, 25.8% indicate
marijuana was not found positive for other
drugs. The results are at odds with results from
other studies that suggest cannabis as illicit drug
most commonly used by drivers in all word.
Already in study conducted by searchers from
the UPS (University of São Paulo) was founded
higher prevalence of amphetamine users
(83.3%).4 So often the results can be
contradictory especially if we consider aspects
related to culture, age and location.
4. Conclusion
This study revealed a higher prevalence of drug
cocaine and marijuana between drivers of a
transport company in the city of Anápolis-GO.
There is a considerable amount of evidence that
the various illegal drugs can cause damage and
psychomotor influence the act of driving a
motor vehicle. Therefore should be of interest
for companies to develop programs that vision
to reduce the use of these drugs.
Acknowledgments
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624.htm. Acesso em 02/03/2010.