Prevalence and trends of ethanol and drugs among arrested drivers in Norway in the period 2013-2023

Background:

Since 2013, the toxicological results from drivers arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and psychoactive drugs have been annually reported by the forensic laboratory at Oslo University Hospital. The aim is to present the prevalence of ethanol and psychoactive drugs from the latest report as well as trend lines of different drugs and drug classes among Norwegian drivers from the most recent data.

Methods:

The data was gathered from Oslo University Hospital’s national forensic toxicology database. Additionally, the police’s data for the evidentiary alcohol breath samples that were collected on site were provided. Depending on the police request, the blood samples were analysed for ethanol only or for ethanol and approximately 60 psychoactive drugs. 

Results:

In 2022, blood samples from 10,087 cases were analysed for the presence of ethanol and psychoactive drugs. This figure represented the greatest number of cases since 2013, and was 12% higher than that of 2021. A total of 2,123 ethanol breath tests were conducted by the police. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), amphetamines, and alcohol (in breath or blood samples) were the most prevalent substances detected, as was observed in prior years. In 47% of the cases, ethanol was found, THC in 43%, and amphetamines in 33%. The percentage of those who had alcohol present was 2% higher than in 2021, however overall, the trend in ethanol prevalence has declined significantly since 2013. Over the course of the period, the percentage of THC detected grew somewhat, but the percentage of amphetamines detected was relatively consistent at 30%. In 2022, 8% of the sample was positive for cocaine. Comparing this to the four years prior, when the proportion was roughly 4 %, there was a significant increase. Among the benzodiazepines, we found that while alprazolam increased from 8% to 15% during the period, the proportion of drivers with detectable clonazepam fell significantly (from 35% in 2013 to 10% in 2022). At 15%, the percentage of diazepam was comparatively stable. Throughout the time, the proportion of opioids fluctuated between 1 and 4%. The most recent data from 2023 will be added before the conference.

Conclusion:

The volume of blood samples obtained for analysis of alcohol and psychoactive drugs reached an all-time high. There was a sharp increase in the number of samples with detected cocaine. There was also an increase in the number of samples with detected alprazolam, which appears to partly substitute clonazepam.