NARCONON’S VIEWS ON DRUGGED DRIVING

Car Accident

In recent years the percentage of person seeking drug treatment at Narconon due to prescription drug abuse has increased dramatically.  These individuals are frequently prescribed the mind altering medication they have become addicted to and think nothing of driving while under the influence- with the justification that it is “prescribed”.

Unfortunately, there are not enough prescription drug abusers seeking treatment and our roads are becoming more dangerous as a result.  According to Join Together, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration just published alarming statistics – one in three drivers killed on the road in 2009 had drugs in their system.  While drug tests came back for a range of substances, there can be little doubt that the increase of prescription drug abuse has contributed to the rising stats of accidents caused by drugged driving.

It has already been demonstrated that public determination can have an effect on decreasing the number of impaired drivers who hit the road.  Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) brought legislation into effect which got drunk drivers off the street.  The group cared enough to exert the effort to make a difference.

The same can be done for drugged drivers.  Citizens have a right to demand that no one should drive impaired – whether they are impaired “legally” or not.  The consequences should be severe.  Licenses for first offenders should be suspended until the offender engages in effective drug treatment and remains drug free for months (as evidences by clean drug tests).

“New research from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) found one in three drivers killed on the road in 2009 had drugs in their system, USA Today reported Nov. 30.

Drug tests came back positive for a range of substances, from prescribed narcotics to illegal stimulants and anabolic steroids.

The results excluded drivers who tested positive for alcohol.

The data indicated a 5-percent jump in positive drug tests among traffic fatalities since 2005, an increase Office of National Drug Control Policy director Gil Kerlikowske said in an accompanying press release was “alarmingly high.”

“Drugged driving is a much bigger public health threat than most Americans realize and unfortunately, it may be getting worse,” said Kerlikowske.”

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