Drug Use by Truck Drivers in Brazil

Abstract

In Brazil, those who are suspected of driving under the influence of drugs are tested only for ethanol. Professional drivers, especially truck drivers, use stimulant drugs to prevent sleeping during long-distance driving. Surveys on the patterns of use of illicit drugs in the workplace have rarely been conducted in Brazil, in spite of the high costs and the potential risk to public health. Since 1996, the authors have been compiling the results of tests, performed in their laboratories, for drugs in urine samples from truck drivers. The drugs analyzed were: amphetamine, methamphetamine, cannabinoids and cocaine. Urine samples (728) were collected in three out of the five geographical regions of Brazil: southeast (517 samples), northeast (161 samples) and south (50 samples). Fluorescence polarization immunoassay and capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry were utilized for the urinalyses. The results obtained were as follows: 41 samples (5.63% of the total) tested positive for the drugs being studied. The frequency of positivity of samples was quite similar for the three regions: 6% in the south, 6% in the southeast and 4.35% in the northeast. However, distribution of the drugs in the samples showed regional variations. Results such as those that we have obtained can provide an estimation of the extent of drug use by truck drivers in Brazil.

Manter-se acordado: a vulnerabilidade dos caminhoneiros no Rio Grande do Sul

“…The association of amphetamine consumption with the younger age groups indicates that these are more vulnerable, possibly as a consequence of their reduced experience in the profession, which causes more diffi culty in dealing with work pressures. Greater vulnerability of young truck drivers is highlighted by Leyton et al 7 and by Silva et al, 14 who have shown higher prevalence of drug use in young drivers, as well as higher risk of depression (Silva-Júnior et al). 13 This scenario should be understood within a broader context, characterized by low-level of schooling, long periods truck drivers stay away from their homes and families and precarious working conditions, as poor conditions of the highways and of the places where they stay during their trips (gas stations, customhouses, companies' yards).…”

“…In the present study, 16.6% of the interviewees stated having used amphetamines at least once in their lives, and 7.5% reported regular use of amphetamines to stay awake. Silva et al 14 detected the presence of amphetamines in truck drivers' urine in Southeast, Northeast and South of Brazil, with prevalence of 4.8%. The highest prevalence was observed in the South (6.0%) and the lowest, in the Northeast (3.7%).…”

“…However, the truck drivers who have formal jobs also present long workdays, according to that study. Silva et al 14 describe that the drivers are young, they own the truck, and have workdays of ten to 14 hours per day. National and international studies have shown the relationship between drivers' working conditions and increased risk for cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases.…”

Detecting Alcohol and Illicit Drugs in Oral Fluid Samples Collected from Truck Drivers in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

“…Our research group has also published 2 studies in this area. In 2003, urine samples collected from truck drivers (n = 728) in 3 geographical regions of Brazil revealed that 5.63 percent of the participants tested positive for the analyzed drugs (THC, amphetamines, and cocaine; Silva et al 2003). More recently, urine samples collected from 488 truck drivers in the state of São Paulo were subjected to toxicological analyses.…”

Road Life Perspectives and Experiences among Iranian Truck Drivers: A Qualitative Study

“…Studies in other countries have shown that life conditions of truck drivers makes them come into contact with dangerous behavior such as having unhealthy sexual partners and drug abuse (14)(15)(16)(17).…”