Use Of Drugs By Truck Drivers Traveling On Highways Nearby Anápolis-Goiás-Brazil

Objectives: To approach truck drivers profile travelling on highways near Anápolis-Goiás, the drug use and the main psychoactive substances used by them and relate the consumption of these substances to the social and demographic aspects of truck drivers.

Methods: To approach the social and demographic data as well as drug consumption among truck drivers, the semi-structured questionnaire Involvement Screening Test with Alcohol, Cigarette and Other Drugs (ASSIST) modified was used. Data collection was conducted between January and May 2015 in petrol stations near the town of Anápolis-Goiás. Data analysis was conducted using the program SPSS-22.

Results: 161 truck drivers were interviewed. Most were male (99.4%), self-declared white (60.9%), from the state of Goiás (43.8%) and traveled an average of 639 km (400 miles) / day. 32.9% admitted the use of amphetamines in the last three months. On the acquisition of that substance, 38.3% reported not find it difficult to purchase amphetamine and gas stations is the place of choice to buy it, according to participants. Moreover the use of alcohol during the working hours was admitted by 73,9% of the participants.

Conclusion: The use of drugs by truck drivers proved present in Goiás highways, those results showed that there has been indiscriminate use of stimulants and alcohol by truck drivers and this reflects the lack of control and awareness of these professionals. In addition, the gas stations, which usually are the rest local for this category, are characterized as one of the main centers for worsens the health conditions of these professionals. Thus, it is expected that this work will serve to the development of public health policies aimed to improve the working conditions of this category, and thus reduce traffic accidents indirectly caused by the abuse of these substances.

Financial support was provided by FAPEG (Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás) and Programa de Bolsas de Iniciação Cientifica da UniEVANGÉLICA - PBIC/UniEVANGÉLICA.