Pubdate: Sun, 29 Jul 2012
Source: Independent on Sunday (UK)
Copyright: Independent Newspapers Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.independent.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/208
Author: Brian Brady

DRUG DRIVING LAW WILL HIT MEDICINE USERS

Crackdown on Irresponsible Addicts Could Affect Motorists WHO Take 
Prescribed Painkillers Daily

Motorists using prescribed painkillers such as morphine and codeine 
could be charged with "drug driving" under a new law designed to keep 
dangerous hard drug users off British roads, doctors and campaigners 
have warned.

Ministers have confirmed that the "opioid-based medicines" may be 
covered by the new offence of drug-driving, even if they have been 
supplied by a doctor and the recommended dose is taken. At present, 
motorists and their doctors must be satisfied of their fitness to 
drive before they get into a car.

The Government is introducing the new law amid growing concerns about 
drug-users behind the wheel. It will make it easier for police to 
take action by making it an offence for motorists to drive with 
controlled drugs in their body.

Ministers have insisted they are targeting the worst threats, 
particularly those who go on the road after using Class-A drugs such 
as heroin and cocaine. However, critics have complained that the 
measures could hit innocent motorists who take legitimate painkillers 
to ease often chronic conditions.

The British Medical Association warned that "blanket bans" on 
motorists driving after taking medication could "meet considerable 
legal challenge unless there is clear evidence that links exposure to 
known levels of driving impairment, as is the case with alcohol".

Baroness Hamwee, a Liberal Democrat peer, complained that the 
proposals could punish motorists who took their prescribed medicines 
at the doses recommended by their doctor: "If the [drug-ban] level is 
set at zero, this will disqualify, for instance, thousands of people 
taking very common medicines that control, to take just one example, 
raised blood pressure.

"Patients with chronic pain who are on a stable dose of a 
prescription or over-the-counter opioid analgesic may well be over 
the limit without impairment, while some may be impaired and some not 
because there is a variable impact."

Dr Beverly Collett, chair of the Chronic Pain Policy Coalition, 
welcomed the move to criminalise driving while intoxicated by 
recreational drugs. But she added: "Opioids and other medications are 
taken by people living with pain, and pain itself can cause cognitive 
impairment."

The Transport Research Laboratory has estimated that drugs are a key 
factor in nearly a quarter of fatal road accidents. A 2009 study 
funded by the Government found that one in 10 young motorists 
admitted to driving after taking illegal drugs.

However, the number of motorists breathalysed for drink-driving 
dwarfs the total tested for narcotics, prompting ministers to 
sanction the distribution of new drug-screening devices to UK police forces.

Department for Transport officials insisted the existing legislation 
on driving while impaired by drugs covered both illegal and 
prescribed substances. Mike Penning, the transport minister, said the 
new offence allowed motorists a statutory defence where they had 
taken medicines "containing specified controlled drugs in accordance 
with medical advice" -- although they could have to go before a court to plead.

Mr Penning added: "Drug drivers are a deadly menace -- they must be 
stopped, and that is exactly what I intend to do. The new offence 
sends out a clear message that if you drive while under the influence 
of drugs, you will not get away with it."
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