Recent Pot Use Could Double Risk of Car Crash, Research Shows

THURSDAY, Feb. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Getting behind the wheel within three hours after using marijuana nearly doubles a driver's risk of having an accident, a large new research review finds.

The risk is especially high for fatal crashes, and the risk is only a little less than that of people who drive drunk, Canadian researchers say.

"On the whole, alcohol increases the risk of a crash at a higher level than cannabis [marijuana]," said lead researcher Mark Asbridge, an associate professor in the community health and epidemiology department at Dalhousie University, in Halifax.

But marijuana makes it harder to judge distance and drivers often tailgate and swerve from lane to lane, which cuts down their reaction time and leads to crashes, he explained.

Although the extent of the problem isn't known, some studies have found that 5 percent of people report driving after using marijuana; and for those under age 25, as many as 20 percent, Asbridge said.

Studies on the effect of driving under the influence of marijuana have had mixed results, he said.

"There were some studies finding that cannabis actually had a negative association with crash risk, so people were actually safer using cannabis driving than when they weren't, but these were poorly designed studies," Asbridge said.

"So our study gives some clarity to the issue in showing a doubling of the risk in the very best studies that are out there and adds some level of justification to existing policies that restrict drug-impaired driving," he said.

The report was published in the Feb. 10 online edition of the BMJ.

To see how marijuana affected driving, Asbridge's team reviewed nine studies that included more than 49,000 people. This process -- called a meta-analysis -- looks for patterns across studies.

The researchers found that those driving under the influence of marijuana were nearly twice as likely to have a car crash as those who were not under the influence.

Studies outside the review have shown that drivers aged 35 and younger are more likely to have car accidents after using marijuana, the authors noted.

"These findings reaffirm many of our accepted understandings regarding acute cannabis intoxication and psychomotor performance," said Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). "That is why operating a motor vehicle while acutely impaired by cannabis is presently a criminal offense in all 50 states."

This risk appears to be greatest in less-experienced cannabis users, younger drivers, and among those who combine the use of cannabis and alcohol, Armentano pointed out.

"That said, it should further be noted that cannabis-induced changes in performance are typically subtle, short-lived and less dramatic in more experienced cannabis consumers, who appear to develop tolerance to some of the drug's behavioral effects," he added.

"Further, this overall elevated risk is far less than the elevated risk of accidents associated with the consumption of alcohol, including its use in legal quantities," Armentano said.

While some suggest that drivers should be tested for marijuana, so far, no effective test exists that can be done at a traffic stop to accurately pinpoint when a driver used the drug.

"This evidence makes a case for introducing policies to reduce cannabis-impaired driving," said Wayne Hall, from the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research in Brisbane, Australia. He wrote an accompanying editorial for the journal.

He said that roadside drug testing, such as that used for alcohol, may be a useful approach.

But there are no handy devices, such as a breathalyzer, to tell if someone has recently used marijuana, Asbridge noted.

"The challenge is defining a level that equates with impairment. A number of countries have already introduced roadside testing by deciding that any detectable evidence of recent use constitutes impaired driving. However, we do not know how effective testing has been because the policy has not been evaluated," Hall said.

Another expert outlined the problems with such tests.

"Because THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, can be detected several weeks after use of marijuana, it is hard to determine with certainty if a driver testing positive for marijuana is indeed impaired by the substance at the time of testing," said Dr. Guohua Li, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University in New York City.

So more research is needed. "This issue is especially urgent and important in light of the ongoing epidemic of drugged driving and increased permissibility and availability of marijuana worldwide," Li said.

While recognition that driving under the influence of marijuana is a problem is a first step in finding ways to curb it, Jan Withers, national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), stated that "drunk driving remains the primary threat to our families on the road."

However, she added, "this study underscores the importance of the work that MADD is doing to support people who have been victimized by drugged driving and recognize law-enforcement's efforts to pioneer effective strategies to stop drugged driving. Notably, it shows the increased danger posed by those drivers using both alcohol and drugs."

More information

For more about drugged driving, visit the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

View the original article here

Pot Use Could Double Risk of Car Crash, Research Shows

THURSDAY, Feb. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Getting behind the wheel within three hours after using marijuana nearly doubles a driver's risk of having an accident, a large new research review finds.

The risk is especially high for fatal crashes, and the risk is only a little less than that of people who drive drunk, Canadian researchers say.

"On the whole, alcohol increases the risk of a crash at a higher level than cannabis [marijuana]," said lead researcher Mark Asbridge, an associate professor in the community health and epidemiology department at Dalhousie University, in Halifax.

But marijuana makes it harder to judge distance and drivers often tailgate and swerve from lane to lane, which cuts down their reaction time and leads to crashes, he explained.

Although the extent of the problem isn't known, some studies have found that 5 percent of people report driving after using marijuana; and for those under age 25, as many as 20 percent, Asbridge said.

Studies on the effect of driving under the influence of marijuana have had mixed results, he said.

"There were some studies finding that cannabis actually had a negative association with crash risk, so people were actually safer using cannabis driving than when they weren't, but these were poorly designed studies," Asbridge said.

"So our study gives some clarity to the issue in showing a doubling of the risk in the very best studies that are out there and adds some level of justification to existing policies that restrict drug-impaired driving," he said.

The report was published in the Feb. 10 online edition of the BMJ.

To see how marijuana affected driving, Asbridge's team reviewed nine studies that included more than 49,000 people. This process -- called a meta-analysis -- looks for patterns across studies.

The researchers found that those driving under the influence of marijuana were nearly twice as likely to have a car crash as those who were not under the influence.

Studies outside the review have shown that drivers aged 35 and younger are more likely to have car accidents after using marijuana, the authors noted.

"These findings reaffirm many of our accepted understandings regarding acute cannabis intoxication and psychomotor performance," said Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). "That is why operating a motor vehicle while acutely impaired by cannabis is presently a criminal offense in all 50 states."

This risk appears to be greatest in less-experienced cannabis users, younger drivers, and among those who combine the use of cannabis and alcohol, Armentano pointed out.

"That said, it should further be noted that cannabis-induced changes in performance are typically subtle, short-lived and less dramatic in more experienced cannabis consumers, who appear to develop tolerance to some of the drug's behavioral effects," he added.

"Further, this overall elevated risk is far less than the elevated risk of accidents associated with the consumption of alcohol, including its use in legal quantities," Armentano said.

While some suggest that drivers should be tested for marijuana, so far, no effective test exists that can be done at a traffic stop to accurately pinpoint when a driver used the drug.

"This evidence makes a case for introducing policies to reduce cannabis-impaired driving," said Wayne Hall, from the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research in Brisbane, Australia. He wrote an accompanying editorial for the journal.

He said that roadside drug testing, such as that used for alcohol, may be a useful approach.

But there are no handy devices, such as a breathalyzer, to tell if someone has recently used marijuana, Asbridge noted.

"The challenge is defining a level that equates with impairment. A number of countries have already introduced roadside testing by deciding that any detectable evidence of recent use constitutes impaired driving. However, we do not know how effective testing has been because the policy has not been evaluated," Hall said.

Another expert outlined the problems with such tests.

"Because THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, can be detected several weeks after use of marijuana, it is hard to determine with certainty if a driver testing positive for marijuana is indeed impaired by the substance at the time of testing," said Dr. Guohua Li, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University in New York City.

So more research is needed. "This issue is especially urgent and important in light of the ongoing epidemic of drugged driving and increased permissibility and availability of marijuana worldwide," Li said.

While recognition that driving under the influence of marijuana is a problem is a first step in finding ways to curb it, Jan Withers, national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), stated that "drunk driving remains the primary threat to our families on the road."

However, she added, "this study underscores the importance of the work that MADD is doing to support people who have been victimized by drugged driving and recognize law-enforcement's efforts to pioneer effective strategies to stop drugged driving. Notably, it shows the increased danger posed by those drivers using both alcohol and drugs."

More information

For more about drugged driving, visit the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

View the original article here

Recent Pot Use Could Double Risk of Car Crash, Research Shows

THURSDAY, Feb. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Getting behind the wheel within three hours after using marijuana nearly doubles a driver's risk of having an accident, a large new research review finds.

The risk is especially high for fatal crashes, and the risk is only a little less than that of people who drive drunk, Canadian researchers say.

"On the whole, alcohol increases the risk of a crash at a higher level than cannabis [marijuana]," said lead researcher Mark Asbridge, an associate professor in the community health and epidemiology department at Dalhousie University, in Halifax.

But marijuana makes it harder to judge distance and drivers often tailgate and swerve from lane to lane, which cuts down their reaction time and leads to crashes, he explained.

Although the extent of the problem isn't known, some studies have found that 5 percent of people report driving after using marijuana; and for those under age 25, as many as 20 percent, Asbridge said.

Studies on the effect of driving under the influence of marijuana have had mixed results, he said.

"There were some studies finding that cannabis actually had a negative association with crash risk, so people were actually safer using cannabis driving than when they weren't, but these were poorly designed studies," Asbridge said.

"So our study gives some clarity to the issue in showing a doubling of the risk in the very best studies that are out there and adds some level of justification to existing policies that restrict drug-impaired driving," he said.

The report was published in the Feb. 10 online edition of the BMJ.

To see how marijuana affected driving, Asbridge's team reviewed nine studies that included more than 49,000 people. This process -- called a meta-analysis -- looks for patterns across studies.

The researchers found that those driving under the influence of marijuana were nearly twice as likely to have a car crash as those who were not under the influence.

Studies outside the review have shown that drivers aged 35 and younger are more likely to have car accidents after using marijuana, the authors noted.

"These findings reaffirm many of our accepted understandings regarding acute cannabis intoxication and psychomotor performance," said Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). "That is why operating a motor vehicle while acutely impaired by cannabis is presently a criminal offense in all 50 states."

This risk appears to be greatest in less-experienced cannabis users, younger drivers, and among those who combine the use of cannabis and alcohol, Armentano pointed out.

"That said, it should further be noted that cannabis-induced changes in performance are typically subtle, short-lived and less dramatic in more experienced cannabis consumers, who appear to develop tolerance to some of the drug's behavioral effects," he added.

"Further, this overall elevated risk is far less than the elevated risk of accidents associated with the consumption of alcohol, including its use in legal quantities," Armentano said.

While some suggest that drivers should be tested for marijuana, so far, no effective test exists that can be done at a traffic stop to accurately pinpoint when a driver used the drug.

"This evidence makes a case for introducing policies to reduce cannabis-impaired driving," said Wayne Hall, from the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research in Brisbane, Australia. He wrote an accompanying editorial for the journal.

He said that roadside drug testing, such as that used for alcohol, may be a useful approach.

But there are no handy devices, such as a breathalyzer, to tell if someone has recently used marijuana, Asbridge noted.

"The challenge is defining a level that equates with impairment. A number of countries have already introduced roadside testing by deciding that any detectable evidence of recent use constitutes impaired driving. However, we do not know how effective testing has been because the policy has not been evaluated," Hall said.

Another expert outlined the problems with such tests.

"Because THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, can be detected several weeks after use of marijuana, it is hard to determine with certainty if a driver testing positive for marijuana is indeed impaired by the substance at the time of testing," said Dr. Guohua Li, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University in New York City.

So more research is needed. "This issue is especially urgent and important in light of the ongoing epidemic of drugged driving and increased permissibility and availability of marijuana worldwide," Li said.

While recognition that driving under the influence of marijuana is a problem is a first step in finding ways to curb it, Jan Withers, national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), stated that "drunk driving remains the primary threat to our families on the road."

However, she added, "this study underscores the importance of the work that MADD is doing to support people who have been victimized by drugged driving and recognize law-enforcement's efforts to pioneer effective strategies to stop drugged driving. Notably, it shows the increased danger posed by those drivers using both alcohol and drugs."

More information

For more about drugged driving, visit the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

View the original article here

Pot Use Could Double Risk of Car Crash, Research Shows

THURSDAY, Feb. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Getting behind the wheel within three hours after using marijuana nearly doubles a driver's risk of having an accident, a large new research review finds.

The risk is especially high for fatal crashes, and the risk is only a little less than that of people who drive drunk, Canadian researchers say.

"On the whole, alcohol increases the risk of a crash at a higher level than cannabis [marijuana]," said lead researcher Mark Asbridge, an associate professor in the community health and epidemiology department at Dalhousie University, in Halifax.

But marijuana makes it harder to judge distance and drivers often tailgate and swerve from lane to lane, which cuts down their reaction time and leads to crashes, he explained.

Although the extent of the problem isn't known, some studies have found that 5 percent of people report driving after using marijuana; and for those under age 25, as many as 20 percent, Asbridge said.

Studies on the effect of driving under the influence of marijuana have had mixed results, he said.

"There were some studies finding that cannabis actually had a negative association with crash risk, so people were actually safer using cannabis driving than when they weren't, but these were poorly designed studies," Asbridge said.

"So our study gives some clarity to the issue in showing a doubling of the risk in the very best studies that are out there and adds some level of justification to existing policies that restrict drug-impaired driving," he said.

The report was published in the Feb. 10 online edition of the BMJ.

To see how marijuana affected driving, Asbridge's team reviewed nine studies that included more than 49,000 people. This process -- called a meta-analysis -- looks for patterns across studies.

The researchers found that those driving under the influence of marijuana were nearly twice as likely to have a car crash as those who were not under the influence.

Studies outside the review have shown that drivers aged 35 and younger are more likely to have car accidents after using marijuana, the authors noted.

"These findings reaffirm many of our accepted understandings regarding acute cannabis intoxication and psychomotor performance," said Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). "That is why operating a motor vehicle while acutely impaired by cannabis is presently a criminal offense in all 50 states."

This risk appears to be greatest in less-experienced cannabis users, younger drivers, and among those who combine the use of cannabis and alcohol, Armentano pointed out.

"That said, it should further be noted that cannabis-induced changes in performance are typically subtle, short-lived and less dramatic in more experienced cannabis consumers, who appear to develop tolerance to some of the drug's behavioral effects," he added.

"Further, this overall elevated risk is far less than the elevated risk of accidents associated with the consumption of alcohol, including its use in legal quantities," Armentano said.

While some suggest that drivers should be tested for marijuana, so far, no effective test exists that can be done at a traffic stop to accurately pinpoint when a driver used the drug.

"This evidence makes a case for introducing policies to reduce cannabis-impaired driving," said Wayne Hall, from the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research in Brisbane, Australia. He wrote an accompanying editorial for the journal.

He said that roadside drug testing, such as that used for alcohol, may be a useful approach.

But there are no handy devices, such as a breathalyzer, to tell if someone has recently used marijuana, Asbridge noted.

"The challenge is defining a level that equates with impairment. A number of countries have already introduced roadside testing by deciding that any detectable evidence of recent use constitutes impaired driving. However, we do not know how effective testing has been because the policy has not been evaluated," Hall said.

Another expert outlined the problems with such tests.

"Because THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, can be detected several weeks after use of marijuana, it is hard to determine with certainty if a driver testing positive for marijuana is indeed impaired by the substance at the time of testing," said Dr. Guohua Li, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University in New York City.

So more research is needed. "This issue is especially urgent and important in light of the ongoing epidemic of drugged driving and increased permissibility and availability of marijuana worldwide," Li said.

While recognition that driving under the influence of marijuana is a problem is a first step in finding ways to curb it, Jan Withers, national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), stated that "drunk driving remains the primary threat to our families on the road."

However, she added, "this study underscores the importance of the work that MADD is doing to support people who have been victimized by drugged driving and recognize law-enforcement's efforts to pioneer effective strategies to stop drugged driving. Notably, it shows the increased danger posed by those drivers using both alcohol and drugs."

More information

For more about drugged driving, visit the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

View the original article here

Obama boosts funds for Alzheimer's research

(Reuters) - The Obama administration plans to spend an additional $156 million over the next two years to help find an effective treatment for Alzheimer's, a fatal brain-wasting disease that affects more than 5 million Americans.

The White House said on Tuesday it will spend and extra $50 million this year, and it will seek an extra $80 million in fiscal 2013 to bolster Alzheimer's research. Obama also plans to spend an additional $26 million in programs to support people who care for Alzheimer's patients.

The spending increase is intended help make good on a U.S. target set last month to find a way to treat or prevent Alzheimer's by 2025, a goal some experts fear is too ambitious.

Current drugs help manage symptoms but so far no therapy can stop the progression of Alzheimer's, which can start with vague memory loss and confusion before progressing to complete disability and death.

Experts predict that without an effective treatment, the number of Americans with Alzheimer's will double by 2050 and related healthcare costs could soar to more than $1 trillion a year.

These projections are simply staggering," National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins said in a statement. "This new funding will accelerate NIH's effort to use the power of science to develop new ways of helping people with Alzheimer's disease and those at risk."

The $50 million cash infusion this year brings the U.S. Alzheimer's research budget to half a billion dollars, an improvement, advocates say, but still far short of what the nation spends on other chronic diseases.

The spending will support the nation's first comprehensive plan to fight Alzheimer's disease, an effort mandated by the National Alzheimer's Project Act signed into law by President Barack Obama last year.

The project will coordinate government-wide efforts to prevent and treat the disease and create a national strategy for Alzheimer's.

Australia, France and South Korea already have comprehensive Alzheimer's plans, and global experts have been urging the United States to take a leadership role.

"Today's announcement reflects this administration's commitment to confronting Alzheimer's, a disease that takes a devastating toll on millions of Americans," Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement.

So far, U.S. investment in the search for Alzheimer's treatments has fallen short of what the nation spends on other chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.

Roughly $6 billion is spent each year by the NIH on cancer, which affects about 12 million Americans, and more than $4 billion on heart disease, which kills more than 800,000 nationally each year.

Alzheimer's advocates advising the HHS on its research strategy have said it will take as much as $2 billion a year in research funding to make a significant difference in finding an effective treatment.

"This infusion of funds is important," said Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, who called the disease "the public health crisis of this century."

Dr. Ronald Petersen, a Mayo Clinic researcher who chairs the HHS Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, said he sees the announcement as a good faith gesture by the administration.

"In these times, one could not realistically expect a billion or 2 billion dollars to be allocated in next year's budget," Petersen told Reuters.

But over the long haul, he said it will take a significant amount of funds to meet that target.

(Reporting By Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Bill Trott and Jackie Frank)

View the original article here