Drug detection and testing

Question 1

why? (5)

Answer 1

• treatment
• safety
• anti-doping
• law enforcement
• research

Question 2

biological samples (5)

Answer 2

• blood
• breath
• urine
• saliva
• hair

Question 3

what to measure? (3)

Answer 3

• identification (screening)
• measure levels
• known vs unknown

Question 4

Alc det on the go(4)

Answer 4

• Breathalyzer
• 0.08% BAC (estimated)
• Chemical colour test with sulphuric acid, silver nitrate and potassium dichromate
• Colour change – electric current in meter

(prone to error)

Question 5

alc det - follow up tests (3)

Answer 5

• Intoxilyzer – infrared
  spectroscopy
• IR beam in wavelengths for chemical bonds in
  ethanol
• IR absorption –electrical signal

(but a lot of more alc metabolised by now - so look for metabolites)

Question 6

Solid tests – lateral flow tests - easy to use (5)

Answer 6

Immunoassays : antibodies already present

• Cocaine
• Ketamine
• THC
• Methamphetamine
• Benzodiazepines

one chemical/ test

Question 7

solid test benefits (7)

Answer 7

• Simple
• Rapid
• Visual interpretation
• On-site detection
• Kit completes with swab for sample collection, buffer solutions, bottle for mixing compound and
  test cartridge
• Some have Home office approval – police, customs
• Sensitivity ? Detection times ? Specificity?

Question 8

Urine test strips - how do you use it?

Answer 8

1. Allow the test to absorb the urine for about 10-15 seconds.
2. Remove the test from the urine and replace the test cap.
3. Lay the test on a clean flat surface while the test lines develop.
4. You can read negative results as soon as they appear but positive results must be read at least 5 minutes after removing from urine

Question 9

urine uses e.g.’s (7)

Answer 9

Example tests: may have more than one
* Cocaine
* Benzodiazepines
* Methamphetamines
* Amphetamines
* Cannabis
* Opioids
* Methadrone

yes and no answer

Question 10

What does a positive/ negative result mean?

Answer 10

+ = present
- = not present

Question 11

What to consider when looking at results? (4)

Answer 11

• what is being tested? (many chemicals i.e. THC)
• what is the detection limit? (need a lot of drug to show result?)
• When was the drug taken (and how much)? - metabolism, how much and when it was taken
• How to confirm the initial tests? (ir)

Question 12

Home testing kits

Answer 12

ecstasy pill testing - is very easy to do (just need to identify the right colour) - just need to keep an eye out for colours but also individual diff’s - colours (dark or light)

e.g.
* MDMA
* Methamphetamine
* Morphine

Question 13

Multiple chemicals in tablets - some don’t show up in home testing (4)

Answer 13

• PMA in pill doesn’t show up in home testing
• PMA: 4 methoxyamphetamine
  = deaths from this for many and many didn’t show up in tests
• Mandelin reagent: ammonium vanadate in
  concentrated sulphuric acid
• Mecke reagent: selenous acid in in concentrated
  sulphuric acid
• “qualitative” test

Question 14

ACMD report on powdered cocaine - onitoring e.g. (2015) (3)

Answer 14

• Increased availability of cheap, low purity powdered cocaine
• Cocaine (including crack) was involved in, but not necessarily the cause of, 234 of 3,521deaths in England,
  Scotland and Wales in 2013
• More than 50 cutting agents have been identified, including some that can cause serious medical harm

Question 15

more accurate testing: GC benefits (5)

Answer 15

• Laboratory test
• Reliable
• Sensitive
• Screening of substances
• Quantitative

Question 16

more accurate testing: IS benefits (6)

Answer 16

• Unambiguous identification
• Reliable
• Rapid
• Extensive drug library needed inc IR spectra of legal highs,
  pharmaceutical compounds and
  common chemicals
• No sample preparation
• Portable – use outside
  laboratories ?

Question 17

Databases usage + benefits (5)

Answer 17

of IR and results (not based on solid tests)
= less tedious
= easier to identify compounds

(TICTAC in SGUL)
-shape
-colour
-appearance
-nicknames

• for public
• for law enforcement
• for scientists

Question 18

database keeps up with makers + users - cycle

Answer 18

cycle:
1) detection
2) blanket ban
3) new substances invented

• Designer drugs: modified structures of existing substances
• Failed pharmaceuticals or research compounds
• Each country is different
• EMCDDA, UNODC

Question 19

Where do we do the detective work? (8)

Answer 19

• Internet / headshops
• Systematic screening for new compounds
• Monitor effects of new legislations
• Amnesty bins from clubs or festivals
• Search before entry, anything left in sealed container
• Police and Border Agency
• Drug testing following arrest
• Seizures (inc. unclaimed parcels)
• Hospital admissions
• Questionnaires (brand names only)
• Waste
• Pooled urine (no female samples)
• Sewage

Question 20

Summary (5)

Answer 20

• Analytical techniques
• Qualitative vs quantitative
• Sample types
• Active vs inactive ingredients
• Monitoring emerging drug use