Trends in Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Cannabis Among Young Adults in Washington State From Before to During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Trends in Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Cannabis Among Young Adults in Washington State From Before to During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Publication date: Nov 01, 2024

Objectives. To examine trends in young adult self-reported driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI-A), cannabis (DUI-C), and simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use (DUI-AC) in a state with legalized nonmedical cannabis use from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. We used logistic regression and annual statewide data from the Washington Young Adult Health Survey to assess DUI behaviors from 2016 to 2021. Results. Both prepandemic yearly changes in prevalence and deviations from those trends during the pandemic years were small and not statistically significant. However, prevalence estimates were alarming: 12. 0% of participants reported DUI-A, 12. 5% reported DUI-C, and 2. 7% reported DUI-AC. Exploratory moderation analyses indicated a relative increase in DUI-A during 2020 among 4-year college students relative to young adults not attending 4-year colleges. Conclusions. Young adults in Washington State continued to engage in risky DUI behaviors during the pandemic. College students may have increased their likelihood of DUI-A during COVID-19. Public Health Implications. Young adults, for whom vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death, showed little change in DUI behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is continued need for young adult DUI prevention efforts. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S8):S698-S701. https://doi. org/10. 2105/AJPH. 2024. 307767).

Concepts Keywords
Cannabis Adolescent
Driving Adult
Pandemic Alcohol Drinking
Students Automobile Driving
COVID-19
Female
Humans
Male
Marijuana Smoking
Prevalence
Students
Washington
Young Adult

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease MESH Driving Under the Influence
drug DRUGBANK Ethanol
drug DRUGBANK Medical Cannabis
disease MESH COVID-19 Pandemic
disease MESH cause of death

Original Article

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