19  DRUGS There are other drugs or substances that also interfere with a person’s ability to  drive safely. Here are a few things you should remember:  1. When taking prescription medicine, ask your doctor about any possible side effects that relate to driving. 2. Drugs, including some allergy remedies and cold pills which you can buy without prescription may contain compounds that can affect your driving. 3. Amphetamines are used in stimulants and diet pills. Over dosage of these, and other drugs like tranquilizers or sedatives, can make driving dangerous. 4. Never drive after using illegal drugs. These are especially dangerous because there is usually no way to be certain of their strength or purity. 5. Alaska law also forbids driving under the influence of “any controlled substance,” which  includes narcotic and non-narcotic drugs, not just “illegal” drugs. The penalties for driving under the influence of a controlled substance are the same as outlined previously for driving under the influence of alcohol. 6.Drugs have been shown to impair driving ability. Certain prescribed drugs can cause drowsiness and decreased alertness. The combination of other drugs and alcohol increases the effects of each individual drug. It has been estimated that at least 25 percent of the prescription drugs used today are capable of interacting with alcohol. Therefore, it is important for you to be cautious about drinking alcoholic beverages if you’re taking medication. Such combinations can be fatal, especially if you’re driving.