(D) The previous study and most past studies are considered laboratory studies in that they measure specific effects of drugs on series of complex performance tasks or in simulated driving conditions. It is generally agreed that such studies only help to identify those drugs that may be involved in traffic accidents. Epidemiological studies are required to determine whether in fact specific drugs are over-involved in traffic accidents or other types of improper automobile operation. A rather unusual epidemiology study was conducted by the California Department of Justice (with support funds from the Department of Transportation) of blood samples collected for alcohol determinations from drivers arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. All blood samples found to have less than 0.1 percent alcohol were then submitted for quantitative assays for TCH levels. In addition, several randomly selected blood samples from drivers whose alcohol levels were above 0.1 percent were submitted for comparison.

Although only 1,792 blood samples were tested (266,000 drivers were arrested for this offense during the study period), it does give some indication of the incidence of marijuana use among these drivers. Overall, 16 percent of the samples were found to contain more than 5 nanograms per milliliter (the present sensitivity level of the assay). In the 185 drivers who had no alcohol present, the incidence of marijuana use was as high as 24 percent.

(E) Another major epidemiological study, supported by NHTSA (with NIDA in an advisory capacity), is being conducted by the Highway Safety Research Institute of the University of Michigan. The planning stages of this third national survey of fatally and non-fatally injured drivers for incidence of drugs have just been completed, with sample collection and an analysis to begin soon. Its design incorporates lessons learned from the earlier, above-mentioned studies and has a more representative sample of accident occurences. With better recognition of target drugs and new, improved analytical methods, a comprehensive drug screen will be carried out, including tests for the presence of marijuana

use.

Epidemiological estimates of drug involvement require the evaluation of samples not only from injured drivers, but also from drivers at similar sites and times who were not involved in accidents. In the first two surveys, vigorous attempts were made to obtain a large number of matched or controlled drivers at certain sites where the fatal accidents had occurred. Drivers in these areas were stopped and asked to voluntarily participate in the study, with over 90 percent participation, which is felt to be unusually high. After the Department of Transportation decided not to conduct a controlled driver survey at this time, NHTSA asked NIDA to consider a research grant for this purpose. NIDA plans to notify all potentially interested research groups of our desire to fund a study of control sites. We hope it can be initiated by the time a sufficient number of fatality samples are collected. Under present regulations governing informed consent and protection of research subjects, it is extremely difficult to ensure the participation of a representative number of volunteers. In this event, the fatally and non-fatally injured driver survey will serve only as one side of the relative risk equation. Other types of studies may be required to estimate the actual over-involvement of drugs.

In developing the survey of fatally injured drivers, NHTSA is conducting a series of workshops for small groups of specialists to discuss and to plan continuing studies. These workshops are very useful in guiding the agencies involved.

Under Public Law 95-599, the Department of Transportation is required to prepare a report on the impact of marijuana and drugs on traffic safety and has outlined its future research plans in a recently proposed 5-year plan. NIDA has been consulted on these plans and expects to actively participate in these studies.

With respect to Senator Biden's reference to a California Study finding driving skills were not impaired after one or two joints, NIDA staff were unable to locate such a study in the published literature. All of the studies which have been published and reviewed find some negative effects of marijuana use on driving performance.

ADDITIONAL SUBMISSION OF INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE, INC.

RESOLUTION

Whereas, the Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police having taken notice of the increased use and abuse of marihuana; and

Whereas, considering that the law enforcement community has been drawn into the controversy surrounding the adverse effects of marihuana use; and Whereas, noting that for a period of time the trend of popular opinion flowed toward the conclusion that marihuana use was not significantly harmful, a conclusion drawn in the absence of scientific proof of harm; and

Whereas, conscious, however, that the body of knowledge on adverse effects of marihuana use is growing rapidly and indicators are that extensive use of marihuana represents serious health hazards to users; and

Whereas, having regard to the fact that the high level of use among school-age children and young adults creates a risk of undesirable consequences of learning, motivation and health; and

Whereas, bearing in mind the enormous multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise associated with marihuana trafficking, its corrupting effect on law and order, and its adverse economic impact; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that Federal and State governments make special efforts to provide the necessary leadership, policy direction, legislation, education and resources to inform the public of established consequences to reverse the trend of escalating use, to provide more complete information on health implications, and to provide a meaningful deterrent to those who persist in commercial trafficking operations; and be it

Further resolved, that this document be forwarded to the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare and to the Surgeon General with this recommendation of the utmost urgency that Mr. Califano and the Surgeon General issue a joint statement regarding the health hazards involved in the use of marihuana, and be it Further resolved, that copies of this resolution be sent to the Attorney General of the United States, Members of Congress, Governors of each State, legislatitve leadership in each State, and other appropriate public officials.

OFFICIALS: STOP DRUGS AT THEIR SOURCE

(By Robert Furlow)

WASHINGTON (AP).-Hoping to catch drug smugglers at U.S. borders only "ensures that the battle will be lost" unless more money is sent to fight narcotics where they are produced, the U.S. ambassador to Colombia said yesterday.

"If we are thrown back on defending and patrolling our enormously extended coast line and in policing our very busy skies, we are talking about last resorts," said Ambassador Diego C. Asencio.

"Such procedures are, of course, essential, but ultimate reliance on this method ensures that the battle will be lost," he told a Senate Judiciary subcommittee.

Asencio and Methea Falco, assistant secretary of state for international narcotics matters, told Rep. Joseph Biden, D-Del., chairman of the subcommittee, that greater emphasis is needed on international cooperation if narcotics smuggling is to be cut very much.

Asencio said the United States now receives "splendid cooperation" from the government in Colombia, a nation that produces or processes a high percentage of the marijuana and cocaine brought into the United States. And the efforts have had some apparent success, he said.

But he also said Colombia needs more money for training and equipment to fight narcotics, and he called the U.S. commitment of $3.8 million this year "useful and interesting but minimal."

He estimated total U.S. anti-narcotics spending at about $1 billion, and he added, "If in Colombia we are, indeed, talking about 70 percent of the trouble in both marijuana and cocaine, the funding . . . just does not make sense."

Asencio said the $16 million financing now being considered in the House could help severely cut narcotics traffic in Colombia.

However, he acknowledged that if production is stifled there, it could explode elsewhere, perhaps in Jamaica as Biden suggested.

Biden lamented a situation in which "we anticipate we'll chase the problem around the world," never getting it under control.

"That's the nature of this problem," Miss Falco answered.

She said current programs apparently have had some success in meeting the State Department's "very simple" goal: "To curtail the amount of illicit heroin entering this country." Heroin deaths are down in the United States and heroin prices are up, she said, an indication of smaller supply.

And she said the department is continuing in cooperation with the United Nations and a number of individual nations, including some where narcotics trafficking is considered only a threat for the future.

But shaky or nonexistent U.S. relations with many Southeast Asia nations make cooperation almost impossible, she said. And she added that the department has a great need for "better intelligence" and more of it in order to fashion a true global strategy for fighting narcotics.