Drugs and Human Performance Fact Sheets [2014]

Couper, Fiona J.; Logan, Barry K. · 2014 · ROSA P / Washington State Patrol. Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau

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Summary

This document presents the "Drugs and Human Performance Fact Sheets," a comprehensive report sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and authored by Fiona J. Couper and Barry K. Logan. The research addresses the critical problem of drug-impaired driving, specifically focusing on the identification, assessment, and documentation of impairment caused by psychoactive substances. The motivation for the study was the need for standardized guidance for law enforcement, forensic toxicologists, attorneys, and medical professionals regarding the specific effects of both illicit and prescription drugs on driving performance. The report synthesizes scientific knowledge to provide practical tools for evaluating cases involving drug-related traffic incidents. The methodology involved an International Consultative Panel on Drugs and Driving Impairment, convened in Seattle in August 2000. The panel comprised international experts from psychopharmacology, behavioral psychology, drug chemistry, forensic toxicology, medicine, and law enforcement. The team reviewed developments in the field over the preceding decade to identify specific drug effects on driving. The study focused on sixteen selected substances: cannabis/marijuana, carisoprodol, cocaine, dextromethorphan, diazepam, diphenhydramine, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, ketamine, LSD, methadone, methamphetamine, MDMA, morphine, PCP, toluene, and zolpidem. For each drug, the authors compiled data on chemistry, pharmacology, dosage, physiological and psychological effects, psychomotor performance impacts, driving simulator results, epidemiology, and Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) profiles. The findings are detailed in individual fact sheets for each of the sixteen drugs. For example, regarding cannabis, the report notes that while sensory functions are not highly impaired, perceptual functions, attention, and hand-eye coordination are significantly affected. Driving impairment, including decreased car handling and increased reaction times, can persist for up to three hours after use, with residual effects potentially lasting up to 24 hours. The report emphasizes that interpreting blood concentrations is complex; for instance, THC levels do not reliably predict impairment due to variable metabolism and tolerance. Similarly, for carisoprodol and its metabolite meprobamate, the report identifies signs of impairment such as poor balance, slurred speech, and disorientation, noting that severe impairment often occurs when combined blood concentrations exceed 10 mg/L. The fact sheets consistently highlight that mixing drugs with alcohol dramatically increases impairment risks beyond the effects of either substance alone. The significance of this work lies in its provision of a standardized, evidence-based framework for assessing drug-impaired driving. By consolidating pharmacological data with real-world driving performance studies, the report offers practical guidance for interpreting toxicological results and recognizing impairment symptoms in the field. The authors conclude that all provided information—including chemistry, pharmacokinetics, and performance effects—must be considered collectively when evaluating a case, as single-drug use is often complicated by factors such as dosage, tolerance, and polydrug use. This publication serves as a critical reference for professionals tasked with ensuring traffic safety and administering justice in drug-impaired driving cases.

Key finding

The report provides a consolidated scientific assessment of driving impairment risks for sixteen specific psychoactive substances, detailing their pharmacological effects, detection windows, and associated psychomotor deficits.

Methodology

review

Provenance

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Topics

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• illicit drugs
• prescription meds
• opioids
• polydrug
• cannabis