Substance-Dependent Professional Drivers in Iran: A Descriptive Study

The study objective was to determine characteristics of a nationwide sample of Iranian dependent drug users whose main profession is driving. Data were derived from a larger study, which aimed to describe patterns of drug dependency in Iran. A “driver” was defined as a person whose main profession was driving a motor vehicle to earn a living. Nine hundred twenty individuals were interviewed by a trained drug abuse team in all provinces of Iran during a 5-month period, from April to August 2007. Socioeconomic characteristics, substance abuse, and high-risk behaviors were collected by a checklist. All drivers were male and their mean (± standard deviation) age was 35.1 (± 8.6) years. Opioids (434 cases, 46.8%) and kerack (256 cases, 27.6%) were the two most common drugs used. Except for buprenorphine, which was used via intravenous injection, inhalation was the dominant method of use in other substances, including opioids (56%), heroin (51.4%), kerack (80.1%), methamphetamine (73.9%), and cannabis (77.8%). Extramarital sexual relationships (414 cases, 45%) and nonfatal intoxication (362 cases, 39.3%) were the two most frequent high-risk behaviors. There are people with drug dependencies who drive for a living in Iran. Deterrence programs through screening and random drug testing at police stations and legislation regarding charges of drugged drivers and prohibition from driving for long time periods are essential priorities in traffic safety.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/49192340
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Taylor & Francis
• Authors:
  • Narenjiha, Hooman
  • Rafiey, Hassan
  • Jahani, Mohammad Reza
  • Assari, Shervin
  • Moharamzad, Yashar
  • Roshanpazooh, Mohsen
• Publication Date: 2009

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 227-230
• Serial:
  • Traffic Injury Prevention
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 1538-9588
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/15389588.html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Drug use; High risk drivers; Professional drivers; Socioeconomic factors
• Uncontrolled Terms: Characteristics; Deterrence; Substance abuse
• Geographic Terms: Iran
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01137381
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 30 2009 1:48PM