Driving under the influence (DUI) of a psychoactive substance is responsible for tens of thousands of fatalities a year. FBI reports that over one million DUI arrests are made each year. Alcohol and cannabis are the two most common substances involved in DUI. Individuals reporting DUI with cannabis also report more negative consequences than reported DUI with alcohol. There have been elevated rates of DUI among males, non-Hispanic Whites, and individuals with higher household incomes. The nation’s youngest drivers are the ones at an elevated risk for both substance use and car accidents. This study aims to provide evidence to inform policy decisions and prevention efforts by focusing on DUI among the nation’s youngest drivers.
This study used public data collected in 2020 and 2021 that was a part of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). For this study, they limited the age of participants to 16-20. Three DUI outcomes measured were past-year DUI of cannabis, DUI of alcohol, and DUI of alcohol and cannabis. Criminal justice involvement was measured by general arrest for breaking the law in the past 12 months, DUI-related arrest, drunkenness-related arrest, drug-related arrest, and probation. This study also measured cannabis and alcohol-related correlates, behavior health correlates, and demographic factors.
From this study, it was found that there is unsettling amount of young drivers driving under the influence of both alcohol and cannabis. The percentage is 6.3% for cannabis and 2.6% for alcohol, but that is over one million young individuals. Another finding was that every one in four young cannabis users reported a DUI of cannabis in the past year compared to 1 in 20 underage drinkers who report a DUI of alcohol. This study also supported that prevention efforts should address both cannabis and alcohol not just one single substance due to the amount of DUI involving both cannabis and alcohol reported. This study showed that DUI prevalence is not limited to adults but also is a challenge for our nation’s youth, thus prevention efforts must be targeted towards teens as well.
Takeaway: The nations youth is at an increased risk for substance use and car accidents and thus prevention efforts should be target towards teens as well.