Prevalence and concentrations of drugs in older suspected drugged drivers.

Objective: Older drivers are somewhat more likely to be involved in car crashes than middle-aged drivers but less likely to be involved than younger drivers. This study aimed to assess the extent of drug use in older suspected drunk and drugged drivers, with respect to which drugs were detected and at which concentrations.

Methods: Blood samples from older suspected drunk and drugged drivers taken between February 1, 2012, and May 22, 2013, were identified from the database at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and were retrospectively analyzed for a broad repertoire of drugs relevant for impairment.

Ethanol elimination rates at low concentrations based on two consecutive blood samples.

Introduction: For ethanol, the elimination curve change from apparent zero to apparent first order kinetics at low blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). This is less studied than elimination at higher BACs, and knowledge about this low BAC elimination is especially missing in drunk drivers representing a population with a high frequency of heavy drinkers with increased rate of ethanol metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the point at which elimination rates turns from zero to first order kinetics and the exact elimination rates at the very low BAC intervals in drunk drivers.

Novel psychoactive substances.

There has been a significant increase in the number of new intoxicants on the illegal drugs market globally, also in Norway. The substances are given the name NPS: Novel Psychoactive Substances, and are mainly sold over the Internet. Uncertain dosage of potent substances entails a risk of accidental overdose, and therefore serious intoxication and death.

Codeine-spiked beer in a date rape case?

A case of suspected drug-facilitated sexual assault, involving codeine and acetaminophen, possibly mixed in beer, was recently addressed at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. To examine the case, a small study was performed, spiking beer with preparations containing codeine and acetaminophen and observing the concentrations, appearance, and taste of the solutions. The study revealed the majority of the preparations to be quickly soluble in beer, achieving high concentrations, but at the expense of strong taste and drastic visible changes in the beer.