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Archive for May, 2009

Welcome to the Age of No-Refusal Weekends

Monday, May 25th, 2009

I just read an article that I found very surprising and disturbing.
Read it here.

The article re-counted an obscure practice in Dallas, Texas, coined “No-Refusal Weekend.”  The basic idea is that if a law enforcement officer suspects a driver of being impaired by alcohol they have the right to draw blood from them on-site.  The donor is not allowed to refuse.  The city of Dallas has been using this program during high risk weekends for one year, with surprising results.

“According to the police, 335 people have had their blood drawn during the handful of no-refusal weekends, and of the tests taken, all but five came back with results well over the legal blood alcohol level of .08 — and in most cases, they were closer to double the legal limit. . . . They also noted that not a single one of these blood test cases had gone before a jury. . . . all 51 cases that have thus far entered the legal system pleaded guilty before ever heading to trial.”

While I am happy that so many drunk drivers were removed from the roads, I have a nagging feeling that this is not the most appropriate way to do so.  Forcefully drawing blood from someone without a court order, or their consent seems highly questionable at the very least.  Whatever happened to the good ‘ol fashioned breathalyzer?  It is scientifically proven to been an accurate indicator of blood alcohol content, with no potential risk for spreading blood transmitted diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS.  There is also the fact that drivers are not allowed to refuse.  There are always mitigating circumstances, where refusal may be justified.

Making the roads a safer place is a good thing, but infringing on basic rights and freedoms is unconstitutional and not necessary, especially with non-invasive methods readily available.  Apart from basic rights and freedoms, what sanitary precautions will be used, how are needles stored and disposed of, what type of chain of custody is in place to ensure that samples are properly cataloged, what type of training will law enforcement officials be given?  There are too man unanswered questions.

I am thankful to be a citizen of Canada, where I am confidant that the Charter of Right and Freedoms would not allow for such a cavalier attitude towards human rights.  But then again, if drivers would just learn their lesson and not drink and drive, the need for methods such as this would cease to exist.

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Posted in Alcohol Testing, Impaired Driving, Newsworthy | 2 Comments »

The Dangers of Drugged Driving

Monday, May 25th, 2009

Drugged Driving.  Not yet a common term, but undoubtedly a common occurrence.

Last year, the Canadian Parliament passed legislation, giving law enforcement officials the ability to administer drug tests if a driver was suspected to be under the influence of drugs.  Andrew Murie, chief executive officer of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada, has been quoted as saying “We’ve realized that in some respects, especially with young people, they’ve switched their drug of choice. They’ve gone from drinking and driving to using cannabis and driving.”  Drugged driving is a real problem in Canada.  The stigma associated with drunk driving has not yet made it over to drugged driving.

The fight against drinking and driving has been an ongoing battle for years, and now it seems as if the battle has begun again.  Is it going to take another 40 years before people begin to realize that driving while impaired, whether it be through drugs, alcohol or even the use of a cell phone is dangerous.

I get frustrated when people wave off this trend as “no big deal.”  Marijuana alters brain function, and while it may not impair, in the same way that alcohol does, the effects can still be devastating.  Motor function may or may not be reduced by THC, but judgement certainly is.  Drivers impaired by marijuana would not make the same decisions as if they were sober.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States reports that more than 17,000 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2006. Studies also have found that drugs are used by 10 to 22 percent of drivers involved in crashes, often in combination with alcohol.

According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, also in the United States, an estimated 10.2 million people age 12 and older reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs during the year prior to being surveyed.

Studies conducted in several localities within the United States have found that approximately 4 to 14 percent of drivers who sustained injury or died in traffic accidents tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

There are so many more statistics that I could list, but don’t have the time to go through them all.  The consensus over again is that drivers who are impaired by drugs are at a significantly elevated risk of being in a crash, or being involved in a traffic fatality.  I find this trend to be a serious concern that should not be taken lightly.  I am proud of the Canadian government for passing legislation that will give law enforcement officers another tool to make our roads safer.  Poor judgement should not have to cost innocent people their lives.

As for the argument that THC is detectable in urine for weeks, and so drug testing should not be permissible because it does not prove impairment, I say this . . .
That may be true, but there are other forms of drug detection besides urinalysis.  An oral fluid drug test will only detect if marijuana has been used in the past 14-16 hours, which falls very closely in line with impairment, and thus nullifies the argument.

Education is the key.  Recently there have been several television campaigns in the fight against drugged driving.  The message is slowing getting out to the public.  With the age of internet upon us, my hope is that the stigma of drugged driving will not take as long as that of drunk driving to catch on.  Spread the word.

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Posted in Drug Testing, Impaired Driving, Interesting Facts, Newsworthy | 2 Comments »

Do Masks Really Prevent the Spread of H1N1?

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

The hype surrounding the H1N1 virus has grown to hysteria.
Earlier this week, I was at a lunch presentation in a local hotel and noticed that on all of the tables, was set out multiple scented bottles of anti-bacterial hand sanitizer.  I do not disagree that using such a product before a meal is a bad thing.  However, throughout the years, this same hotel, at similar functions, has never once made available antibacterial hand sanitizer on the table.  The small bottles of sanitizer served as a reminder to me that H1N1 is at the forefront of the people’s minds.

There is a debate in the media currently, as to whether the coverage of the H1N1 outbreak has been ‘overhyped.’  Some experts have concluded that the threat of an H1N1 pandemic was blown out of proportion.  On the other hand, taking reasonable precautions seems like a basic step in dealing with the current global situation.  More frequent washing of hands, staying home if you are ill and in certain situations, wearing a protective mask, make sense.

I wanted to take this time to educate the concerned public on facial masks/respirators and whether they are effective or worthwhile in the prevention of H1N1.

In 2003, the Public Health Agency of Canada asked a panel of medical experts for guidance on how the flu is transmitted and how best to protect against infection.  One of the questions the panel considered was whether face masks would offer protection in the event of a pandemic.

The verdict: yes, to an extent.  The basic concept behind this reasoning is that not all masks are made the same.  Consumers need to research masks before they purchase a product thinking that it will protect them in the event of a pandemic.

In many cities, surgical masks are almost impossible to buy because they are in such high demand.  These are the thin, paper masks that a dental hygienist might wear.   Unfortunately they will do little in the spread of influenza.  These masks are unable to block small flu particles that are inhaled and settle in the lungs.  In order to have effective protection from H1N1, a higher grade mask is necessary.  The current standard for such masks is referred to as the N95 respirator.  The N95, is not a brand of mask, but rather a classification of mask.  In order to be considered an N95 respirator, the following standards need to be met:

  • Filter particles one micron in size or smaller.
  • Have a 95 per cent filter efficiency.
  • Provide a tight facial seal (less than 10% leak).

These masks are not typically available in your local hardware store.  N95’s are available to purchase through health care suppliers or safety companies.  If you plan on investing in a respirator, it is important to invest in a quality mask that is properly fitted.  Otherwise, there is no point in spending the money, because your mask will not be effective.  If you are interested in having a mask fit session to know what type of mask to purchase please contact SureHire at 1-866-944-4473.

While I don’t believe in fear mongering, I also do not believe in standing back and watching a pandemic unfold without taking even the most basic of precautions.  Many of the ‘tips’ being relayed through the media, are basic common sense that we should adhere to, whether or not we are on the cusp of a deadly flu.  In cold and flu season, stay home, don’t come to work or school if you are sick.  Make a habit of washing your hands throughout the day.  If nothing else, I hope that we learn to take basic precautions in our day to day lives to preserve our own health and well being, and the health of those around us.  I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this situation and what precautions, if any, you have taken since the original “Swine Flu” was announced.  I for one, have started carrying around waterless hand sanitizer with me!

Father and son wearing surgical masks

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Posted in H1N1, Interesting Facts, Mask Fit Testing, Newsworthy | 2 Comments »