The Problem of Youth Drugged Driving: Approaches to Prevention Erin Holmes, M.A. Research Scientist Traffic Injury Research Foundation RADD-ONDCP Teen DUID Summit July 11 th, 2014, Columbus, OH

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3 > In Canada, between 2000 and 2010, the number of fatally injured drivers ages who had drugs (illicit and prescription) in their system rose from 23.6% to 39.2% (Brown et al. 2013). > The percentage of fatally injured drivers ages who had psychoactive drugs detected in their system increased from 27.9% in 2000 to 40% in 2010 (Beirness et al. 2013). > Cannabis is the most commonly found drug in young drivers tested at roadside and who are fatally injured in crashes. Youth DUID: International problem

4 > Youth have perceptions about the prevalence, acceptability, and risk of DUID: » DUID is not a serious problem. » DUID is safer than alcohol-impaired driving. » Some drug use does not adversely affect driving ability. » Some drug use improves driving ability. » Likelihood of detection and apprehension is low. Youth perceptions of DUID

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6 > Systematically review the literature on prevention initiatives and approaches. > Identify effective prevention programs, interventions, initiatives, and approaches aimed at reducing DUID among youth. > Inform the development of future prevention initiatives. Purpose of review

7 > Few programs and campaigns specific to issue and target audience. > Very limited body of literature; lack of evaluation research. > Definitive conclusions about the impact of programs and campaigns on behavior could not be drawn. > Review did identify promising prevention strategies that affected knowledge and changed attitudes. Review findings

8 > Specific approaches, such as encouraging youth to examine their attitudes, think critically, make responsible choices and communicate, could create opportunities for empowerment. > The teaching of coping skills, life skills, and peer pressure resistance strategies, as well as having youth assume leadership roles, could build self-esteem. Promising approaches

9 > Youth-centric, youth-created, culturally sensitive, factual messaging will ensure information is believable and easily understood by the target audience. > Involvement of parents and engagement of the community could expand the outreach and impact of prevention initiatives. > Strategic timing. Promising approaches

10 The importance of self-efficacy > Self-efficacy is the most important predictor of behavior change (Cismaru et al. 2009). > Necessary to provide advice on HOW to avoid drugged driving. » Should involve low costs. » Feasible and practical alternatives. > Making youth feel that they can actually follow the recommendations should constitute one of the main objectives of any drugged driving prevention campaign.

11 > Prevention alone cannot be ‘the’ solution. > In the absence of the risk of being detected, fined, or prosecuted for drugged driving, education alone is not enough. > Enforcing detection and penalties in conjunction with prevention efforts could make the consequences of driving after using drugs relevant. Prevention and enforcement

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