Monitoring the Future Data Indicates Increase in Drug Impaired Driving

While alcohol impaired driving rates among youth have declined in the United States, drug impaired driving appears to be on the rise. Research indicates illicit or prescribed drugs are associated with an increased rate of motor vehicle crashes, making current excessively high rates of drug impaired driving a significant public health concern. A recent study examining data from the Monitoring the Future survey found that just over one out of every four (28 percent) high school seniors either drove under the influence or drove with someone under the influence of alcohol or other illicit drugs, with the percentage of seniors driving after smoking marijuana was almost three times more than alcohol impaired drivers.

The March/April 2014 issue of Research Into Action breaks down the findings and highlights the need for coalitions to assess local impaired driving data in their communities and increase partnerships to create solutions to this public health issue.

More on the study and how local anti-drug coalitions can use the data to inform their efforts appears in the March/April 2014 issue of Research into Action. Download the PDF version of this publication or view this issue and previous issues on the CADCA website. 

Research into Action is a free publication, which reports on research findings that impact the work of coalitions. Published six times a year by CADCA’s National Coalition Institute, each issue examines what coalitions can do to implement knowledge they gain in their communities. Sign up for your free e-mail subscription on CADCA’s website by providing your e-mail address in the “Get Online News Updates” box located on the bottom right hand side of the CADCA homepage.