Combined Alcohol and Cannabis Effects on Skills of Young Drivers
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2020-01-17
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Alcohol and cannabis are the two most widely used substances of abuse in the world and are
the psychoactive substances most often found in seriously and fatally injured drivers. In a
recent study, it was observed that individuals who reported both driving under the influence
of alcohol (DUIA) and the influence of cannabis (DUIC) experienced collision risk that was
nearly 4 times that of individuals who reported driving after using only one of these drugs.
Recent research in the United States and Canada indicates that the prevalence of DUIC among
young drivers of high school and university age, and young adults is similar to, or higher
than, the prevalence of DUIA. This is a serious public health issue, since motor vehicle
collisions are the leading cause of death in this age group. Given the frequency with which
alcohol and cannabis are consumed together, it is important to understand their combined
effects on driver behaviour. The current study will examine the acute effects of a moderate
dose of cannabis (12.5% THC) combined with an intoxicating amount of alcohol (BAC=0.08) on
driving simulator performance of young drivers. Following an eligibility screening and
practice session, a total of 70 participants aged 19 to 29 years will each complete 4
experimental sessions. During each session, participants will drink alcohol or placebo
alcohol and smoke an active or placebo cannabis cigarette. The effects of alcohol and
cannabis on the performance of driving-related skills will be assessed using a high-fidelity
driving simulator. Cognitive, psychomotor, and mood effects will also be assessed.
Phase:
Early Phase 1
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Collaborators:
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Health Canada