@article { , title = {Usefulness of hair analysis and psychological tests for identification of alcohol and drugs of abuse consumption in driving license regranting.}, abstract = {Implementation of the points-based driving license has helped to change driver behavior, and can be linked to to a reduction of traffic accidents and fatalities. In Spain, a driving licence is revoked when all points are lost, and the driver must enroll on a Driver Awareness and Re-education (DARE) course. However, offenders are currently not subjected to any tests that would confirm the absence of alcohol or other substances, despite the fact that 9\% of Spanish drivers lose their driving license as a result of driving under influence (DUI). This pilot study aimed to compare the usefulness of psychological tests and hair analysis, as methods for identifying which DARE-course attendees had a longterm history of alcohol or drug abuse. Volunteers were submitted to the AUDIT and DAST-10 tests. Hair samples were also collected and analyzed, checking for ethylglucuronide (EtG) (LOQ 5 pg/mg), and thirty-five licit and illicit drugs (LOQ 5-50 pg/mg) by LC-MS/MS. Sixty-one participants - with a mean age of 37.2 (plus or minus 11.6 years) and mainly men (90.2\%) - were recruited. All participants undertook both AUDIT and DAST-10 tests. All hair samples were analyzed for EtG and 17 samples were analyzed for licit and illicit drugs. The mean AUDIT score was 9.6 (SD = 7.5), showing a value < 8 (an indicator of hazardous and harmful alcohol use) in 52.4\% of cases. The mean DAST-10 score was 2.9 (SD = 3.3), but a score greater than or equal to 6 (an indicator of drug abuse or dependence) was detected in 21.3\% of cases. Of the hair samples, twenty-two were positive for EtG, eight were positive for illicit drugs (8 cocaine, 2 opioids, 1 amphetamines, 1 cannabis) and three were positive for medicines. EtG concentration (20.7-1254.1 pg/mg) was higher than the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) cut-off for chronic alcohol consumption ( > 30 pg/mg) in twenty-one cases. All positive cases for methadone and cannabis - and half of the positive cases for opioids and cocaine - presented higher concentrations than SoHT cut-offs for chronic consumption. Higher AUDIT score and higher EtG concentration in hair were statistically associated with declaration of alcohol consumption > 4 times/month and with historical fines for DUI of alcohol. In addition, AUDIT scores and EtG concentration in hair had a moderate but significant Spearman correlation (r = 0.331, p < 0.05). The combination of psychological tests and hair analysis seems to be a promising way to identify individuals with alcohol or drug abuse problems. Moreover, applying these methods as part of the process of re-acquiring driving licences could increase the effectiveness of DARE courses, reduce recidivism and improve road safety.}, doi = {10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.03.023}, eissn = {1872-6283}, issn = {0379-0738}, journal = {Forensic science international}, note = {COMPLETED -- Now published, info via Scopus alert 5/4/2018 LM -- Still In Press 26/3/2018 LM -- AAM available from journal website, downloaded 22/3/2018 LM -- Info via SD alert 22/3/2018 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Lendoiro, Elena -- Panel A}, pages = {239-244}, publicationstatus = {Published}, publisher = {Elsevier}, url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2819}, volume = {286}, keyword = {Health & Wellbeing, EtG, Drugs of abuse, Hair, AUDIT test, DAST10 test, Driving license regranting}, year = {2018}, author = {Lendoiro, Elena and de Castro, Ana and Jiménez-Morigosa, Cristian and Gomez-Fraguela, Xosé A. and López-Rivadulla, Manuel and Cruz, Angelines} }