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Mathias S, Amerio-Cox M, Jackson T, Douce D, McCullough B, Sage A, Luke P, Crean C, Sears P. Performance Comparison of Ambient Ionization Techniques Using a Single Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer for the Analysis of Amino Acids, Drugs, and Explosives. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024. [PMID: 39221767 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.4c00277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The utilization of ambient ionization (AI) techniques for mass spectrometry (MS) has significantly grown due to their ability to facilitate rapid and direct sample analysis with minimal sample preparation. This study investigates the performance of various AI techniques, including atmospheric solids analysis probe (ASAP), thermal desorption corona discharge (TDCD), direct analysis in real time (DART), and paper spray coupled to a Waters QDa mass spectrometer. The focus is on evaluating the linearity, repeatability, and limit of detection (LOD) of these techniques across a range of analytes, including amino acids, drugs, and explosives. The results show that each AI technique exhibits distinct advantages and limitations. ASAP and DART cover high concentration ranges, which may make them suitable for semiquantitative analysis. TDCD demonstrates exceptional linearity and repeatability for most analytes, while paper spray offers surprising LODs despite its complex setup (between 80 and 400 pg for most analytes). The comparison with electrospray ionization (ESI) as a standard method shows that ambient ionization techniques can achieve competitive LODs for various compounds such as PETN (80 pg ESI vs 100 pg ASAP), TNT (9 pg ESI vs 4 pg ASAP), and RDX (4 pg ESI vs 10 pg ASAP). This study underscores the importance of selecting the appropriate ambient ionization technique based on the specific analytical requirements. This comprehensive evaluation contributes valuable insights into the selection and optimization of AI techniques for diverse analytical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Mathias
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
| | - Marius Amerio-Cox
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
| | - Toni Jackson
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
| | - David Douce
- Waters Corporation, Stamford Avenue, Wilmslow SK9 4AX, U.K
| | | | - Ashley Sage
- Waters Corporation, Stamford Avenue, Wilmslow SK9 4AX, U.K
| | - Peter Luke
- Mass Spec Analytical, Future Space UWE North Gate, Bristol BS34 8RB, U.K
| | - Carol Crean
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
| | - Patrick Sears
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
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2
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Martens R, Gozdzialski L, Newman E, Gill C, Wallace B, Hore DK. Trace Detection of Adulterants in Illicit Opioid Samples Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering and Random Forest Classification. Anal Chem 2024; 96. [PMID: 39016148 PMCID: PMC11296309 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c01271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
The detection of trace adulterants in opioid samples is an important aspect of drug checking, a harm reduction measure that is required as a result of the variability and unpredictability of the illicit drug supply. While many analytical methods are suitable for such analysis, community-based approaches require techniques that are amenable to point-of-care applications with minimal sample preparation and automated analysis. We demonstrate that surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), combined with a random forest classifier, is able to detect the presence of two common sedatives, bromazolam (0.32-36% w/w) and xylazine (0.15-15% w/w), found in street opioid samples collected as a part of a community drug checking service. The Raman predictions, benchmarked against mass spectrometry results, exhibited high specificity (88% for bromazolam, 96% for xylazine) and sensitivity (88% for bromazolam, 92% for xylazine) for the compounds of interest. We additionally provide evidence that this exceeds the performance of a more conventional approach using infrared spectral data acquired on the same samples. This demonstrates the feasibility of SERS for point-of-care analysis of challenging multicomponent samples containing trace adulterants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca
R. Martens
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3V6, Canada
| | - Lea Gozdzialski
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3V6, Canada
| | - Ella Newman
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3V6, Canada
| | - Chris Gill
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3V6, Canada
- Department
of Chemistry, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 5S5, Canada
- Department
of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Canadian
Institute for Substance Use Research, University
of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Bruce Wallace
- Canadian
Institute for Substance Use Research, University
of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
- School
of Social Work, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Dennis K. Hore
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3V6, Canada
- Canadian
Institute for Substance Use Research, University
of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
- Department
of Computer Science, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3P6, Canada
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3
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Deconinck E, Lievens S, Canfyn M, Van Campenhout P, Debehault L, Gremaux L, Balcaen M. Full Characterisation of Heroin Samples Using Infrared Spectroscopy and Multivariate Calibration. Molecules 2024; 29:1116. [PMID: 38474628 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29051116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The analysis of heroin samples, before use in the protected environment of user centra, could be a supplementary service in the context of harm reduction. Infrared spectroscopy hyphenated with multivariate calibration could be a valuable asset in this context, and therefore 125 heroin samples were collected directly from users and analysed with classical chromatographic techniques. Further, Mid-Infrared spectra were collected for all samples, to be used in Partial Least Squares (PLS) modelling, in order to obtain qualitative and quantitative models based on real live samples. The approach showed that it was possible to identify and quantify heroin in the samples based on the collected spectral data and PLS modelling. These models were able to identify heroin correctly for 96% of the samples of the external test set with precision, specificity and sensitivity values of 100.0, 75.0 and 95.5%, respectively. For regression, a root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.04 was obtained, pointing at good predictive properties. Furthermore, during mass spectrometric screening, 10 different adulterants and impurities were encountered. Using the spectral data to model the presence of each of these resulted in performant models for seven of them. All models showed promising correct-classification rates (between 92 and 96%) and good values for sensitivity, specificity and precision. For codeine and morphine, the models were not satisfactory, probably due to the low concentration of these impurities as a consequence of acetylation. For methacetin, the approach failed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Deconinck
- Sciensano, Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Service of Medicines and Health Products, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sybrien Lievens
- Sciensano, Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Service of Medicines and Health Products, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
- VUB, Faculty of Sciences and Bio-Engineering, Department Chemistry, Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michael Canfyn
- Sciensano, Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Service of Medicines and Health Products, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Peter Van Campenhout
- Sciensano, Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Service of Medicines and Health Products, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Loic Debehault
- Sciensano, Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Service of Medicines and Health Products, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lies Gremaux
- Sciensano, Scientific Direction Epidemiology and Public Health, Service Lifestyle and Chronic Diseases, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Margot Balcaen
- Sciensano, Scientific Direction Epidemiology and Public Health, Service Lifestyle and Chronic Diseases, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
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4
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Miskulin A, Wallace B, Gill C, Hore D. A strategy for the detection of benzodiazepine drugs using low-resolution paper-spray mass spectrometry for harm reduction drug checking. Drug Test Anal 2023. [PMID: 38145889 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
The ability to detect newly emerging substances is of great importance in reducing harms for people who use drugs. New psychoactive substances including novel benzodiazepines in the illicit drug supply have been linked to high rates of overdose deaths while complicating drug checking as an overdose prevention strategy. Paper-spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) has emerged as a novel strategy to rapidly detect trace components in street drug samples. While targeted, low-resolution PS-MS methods have proven effective, newly emerging substances are often missed. To address this, a method was applied to low-resolution full-scan PS-MS data to aid in the early detection and identification of novel benzodiazepines in the unregulated drug supply. Using the developed method, true positives rates of 0.89 and 0.75 were achieved for bromazolam and etizolam in street samples obtained in a community drug checking service. The applicability of the method was further demonstrated for a novel benzodiazepine, desalkylgidazepam, that has recently emerged in the illicit drug supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allie Miskulin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Bruce Wallace
- School of Social Work, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Chris Gill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Applied Environmental Research Laboratories (AERL), Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Dennis Hore
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Computer Science, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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5
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Ponnet K, Conradie P, Van Havere T, Hauspie B, Khazaee-Pool M, Pashaei T, Reybrouck M, Van Dyck E. Exploring the Decision-Making Process behind Illicit Drug Use at Music Festivals. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 59:707-715. [PMID: 38129990 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2294979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Background: Illicit substance use is common at music festivals. One could question whether festival attendees deliberately plan to take drugs at such events or whether their illicit (poly)drug use is provoked by specific circumstances, such as the presence of peers or a general belief that others are using drugs at the festival. Objectives: The present study implemented the prototype willingness model, which is a model that assesses whether illicit drug use at music festivals is rather a rational or a more spontaneous decision-making process. Results: A three-wave panel survey was conducted, questioning festival attendees before (n = 304, 60.86% males), during, and after music festival visits. In total, 186 people (59.68% males) between 18 and 55 years (M = 27.80 years; SD = 8.19) completed all three surveys, of which 62.9% had taken one or more different illicit substances at the festival. Positive attitudes toward illicit drug consumption were most firmly related to attendees' intentions to take drugs at festivals. Additionally, the more festival visitors identified themselves with the prototype of an attendee using drugs, the more likely they were to be willing to use them. The perceived presence of illicit substances at such events was also strongly related to the actual behavior. Conclusion: The findings suggest that illicit drug use at music festivals relates to both a rational choice and an unplanned one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen Ponnet
- Research Group for Media, Innovation and Communication Technologies, Department of Communication Sciences, IMEC-MICT, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Conradie
- Research Group for Media, Innovation and Communication Technologies, Department of Communication Sciences, IMEC-MICT, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tina Van Havere
- Substance Use and Psychosocial Risk Behaviours (SUPRB), University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bert Hauspie
- Substance Use and Psychosocial Risk Behaviours (SUPRB), University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maryam Khazaee-Pool
- Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Health, Health Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Tahereh Pashaei
- Department of Public Health, School of Health, Environmental Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Mark Reybrouck
- Faculty of Arts, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Art History, Musicology and Theatre Studies, Institute for Psychoacoustics and Electronic Music (IPEM), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Edith Van Dyck
- Department of Art History, Musicology and Theatre Studies, Institute for Psychoacoustics and Electronic Music (IPEM), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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6
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Manke HN, Nunn SS, Sulima A, Rice KC, Riley AL. Effects of Serial Polydrug Use on the Rewarding and Aversive Effects of the Novel Synthetic Cathinone Eutylone. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1294. [PMID: 37759895 PMCID: PMC10526358 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13091294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As individual synthetic cathinones become scheduled and regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), new ones regularly are produced and distributed. One such compound is eutylone, a novel third-generation synthetic cathinone whose affective properties (and abuse potential) are largely unknown. The following experiments begin to characterize these effects and how they may be impacted by drug history (a factor affecting reward/aversion for other drugs of abuse). METHODS Eutylone was assessed for its ability to induce conditioned taste avoidance (CTA; aversive effect) and conditioned place preference (CPP; rewarding effect) and their relationship (Experiment 1). Following this, the effects of exposure to cocaine or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA] on eutylone's affective properties were investigated (Experiment 2). RESULTS Eutylone produced dose-dependent CTA and CPP (Experiment 1), and these endpoints were unrelated. Pre-exposure to cocaine and MDMA differentially impacted taste avoidance induced by eutylone (MDMA > cocaine) and did not impact eutylone-induced place preference. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that eutylone, like other synthetic cathinones, has co-occurring, independent rewarding and aversive effects that may contribute to its abuse potential and that these effects are differentially impacted by drug history. Although these studies begin the characterization of eutylone, future studies should examine the impact of other factors on eutylone's affective properties and its eventual reinforcing effects (i.e., intravenous self-administration [IVSA]) to predict its use and abuse liability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley N. Manke
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA; (H.N.M.)
| | - Samuel S. Nunn
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA; (H.N.M.)
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA (K.C.R.)
| | - Kenner C. Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA (K.C.R.)
| | - Anthony L. Riley
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA; (H.N.M.)
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7
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Gozdzialski L, Wallace B, Hore D. Point-of-care community drug checking technologies: an insider look at the scientific principles and practical considerations. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:39. [PMID: 36966319 PMCID: PMC10039693 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00764-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug checking is increasingly being explored outside of festivals and events to be an ongoing service within communities, frequently integrated within responses to illicit drug overdose. The choice of instrumentation is a common question, and the demands on these chemical analytical instruments can be challenging as illicit substances may be more complex and include highly potent ingredients at trace levels. The answer remains nuanced as the instruments themselves are not directly comparable nor are the local demands on the service, meaning implementation factors heavily influence the assessment and effectiveness of instruments. In this perspective, we provide a technical but accessible introduction to the background of a few common drug checking methods aimed at current and potential drug checking service providers. We discuss the following tools that have been used as part of the Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project in Victoria, Canada: immunoassay test strips, attenuated total reflection IR-absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy from powder samples, surface-enhanced Raman scattering in a solution of colloidal gold nanoparticles, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Using four different drug mixtures received and tested at the service, we illustrate the strengths, limitations, and capabilities of such instruments, and expose the scientific theory to give further insight into their analytical results. Each case study provides a walk-through-style analysis for a practical comparison between data from several different instruments acquired on the same sample. Ideally, a single instrument would be able to achieve all of the objectives of drug checking. However, there is no clear instrument that ticks every box; low cost, portable, rapid, easy-to-use and provides highly sensitive identification and accurate quantification. Multi-instrument approaches to drug checking may be required to effectively respond to increasingly complex and highly potent substances demanding trace level detection and the potential for quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Gozdzialski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, V8W 3V6, Canada
| | - Bruce Wallace
- School of Social Work, University of Victoria, Victoria, V8W 2Y2, Canada
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Dennis Hore
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, V8W 3V6, Canada.
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, V8W 2Y2, Canada.
- Department of Computer Science, University of Victoria, Victoria, V8W 3P6, Canada.
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8
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Assessment of MDMA tablet and capsule dosages from seizures in Queensland, Australia. Forensic Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2022.100453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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9
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Santos LP, Nascimento MHC, Barros IHAS, Santos NA, Lacerda V, Filgueiras PR, Romão W. Portable Raman spectroscopy applied to the study of drugs of abuse. J Forensic Sci 2022; 67:1399-1416. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Layla P. Santos
- Laboratório de Petroleômica e Forense Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) Vitória Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Forense (INCT Forense) Vila Velha Brazil
| | - Marcia H. C. Nascimento
- Laboratório de Petroleômica e Forense Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) Vitória Brazil
| | - Iago H. A. S. Barros
- Laboratório de Petroleômica e Forense Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) Vitória Brazil
| | - Nayara A. Santos
- Laboratório de Petroleômica e Forense Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) Vitória Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Forense (INCT Forense) Vila Velha Brazil
| | - Valdemar Lacerda
- Laboratório de Petroleômica e Forense Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) Vitória Brazil
| | - Paulo R. Filgueiras
- Laboratório de Petroleômica e Forense Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) Vitória Brazil
| | - Wanderson Romão
- Laboratório de Petroleômica e Forense Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) Vitória Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Forense (INCT Forense) Vila Velha Brazil
- Instituto Federal do Espírito Santo (IFES) Vila Velha Brazil
- Academia Brasileira de Ciências (ABC) Rio de Janeiro Brazil
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10
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Jones GM, Nock MK. Lifetime use of MDMA/ecstasy and psilocybin is associated with reduced odds of major depressive episodes. J Psychopharmacol 2022; 36:57-65. [PMID: 34983261 DOI: 10.1177/02698811211066714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is a major mental health issue worldwide, with high rates of chronicity and non-recovery associated with the condition. Existing treatments such as antidepressant medication and psychological treatments have modest effectiveness, suggesting the need for alternative interventions. AIM The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine)/ecstasy and psilocybin use and major depressive episodes (MDEs). METHODS This observational study used data from a large (N = 213,437) nationally representative sample of US adults to test the association of lifetime use of MDMA/ecstasy, psilocybin and other classic psychedelics (lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), peyote, mescaline), other illegal substances (e.g. cocaine, phencyclidine (PCP)), and legal/medicinal substances of misuse (e.g. pain relievers, tranquilizers) with lifetime, past year, and past year severe MDEs. RESULTS Results revealed that lifetime MDMA/ecstasy use was associated with significantly lowered odds of a lifetime MDE (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.84; p < 0.001), past year MDE (aOR = 0.84; p < 0.001), and past year severe MDE (aOR = 0.82; p < 0.001). Psilocybin was associated with significantly lowered odds of a past year MDE (aOR = 0.90; p < 0.05) and past year severe MDE (aOR = 0.87; p < 0.05). All other substances either shared no relationship with a MDE or conferred increased odds of an MDE. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that MDMA/ecstasy and psilocybin use is associated with lower risk of depression. Experimental studies are needed to test whether there is a causal association between use of these compounds and the alleviation of depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant M Jones
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matthew K Nock
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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11
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Measham F, Turnbull G. Intentions, actions and outcomes: A follow up survey on harm reduction practices after using an English festival drug checking service. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 95:103270. [PMID: 33972157 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug checking is a health service whose behavioural outcomes have been assessed primarily through reported intentions of service users after receiving healthcare consultations or brief interventions (BIs). This study contributes to the evidence base through utilising a follow-up design to compare outcomes of risk communications on risk management and harm reduction practices both at and after attending drug checking services at three English music festivals in 2017. METHODS Data were collected and analysed from: (i) 1,482 self-complete questionnaires at sample drop-off; (ii) 1,482 nominated primary service users at 1,482 face-to-face BIs; and (iii) an anonymous online self-report follow-up survey completed by a sub-sample of 130 primary service users (one quarter of legible, functioning email addresses received) followed up three months later. Ten measures (one verified action and nine intentions) were recorded at point of BI and compared with retrospectively reported outcomes and ongoing changes post-BI. RESULTS Outcomes at follow-up were correlated with actions and intentions at BI for nine of the ten measures, including over half of service users disposing of samples identified as other than expected and two in five reporting reduced dosage for samples identified as expected. One in five reported alerting their friends to substances of concern. CONCLUSION Event-based drug checking services can access and engage productively with young adults earlier in drug taking careers and not in touch with health services, through tailored polydrug BIs. Rapid identification of substances of concern, dissemination of test results and associated risk communications during and after events through friendship networks, support services and early warning systems suggest that the benefits of drug checking can extend beyond service users and point of BI and can increase strategies and behaviours to reduce drug-related harm such as poisoning and overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gavin Turnbull
- University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom & RMIT University, Victoria, Australia
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12
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Bade R, White JM, Chen J, Baz-Lomba JA, Been F, Bijlsma L, Burgard DA, Castiglioni S, Salgueiro-Gonzalez N, Celma A, Chappell A, Emke E, Steenbeek R, Wang D, Zuccato E, Gerber C. International snapshot of new psychoactive substance use: Case study of eight countries over the 2019/2020 new year period. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 193:116891. [PMID: 33582495 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.116891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
There is considerable concern around the use of new psychoactive substances (NPS), but still little is known about how much they are really consumed. Analysis by forensics laboratories of seized drugs and post-mortem samples as well as hospital emergency rooms are the first line of identifying both 'new' NPS and those that are most dangerous to the community. However, NPS are not necessarily all seized by law enforcement agencies and only substances that contribute to fatalities or serious afflictions are recorded in post-mortem and emergency room samples. To gain a better insight into which NPS are most prevalent within a community, complementary data sources are required. In this work, influent wastewater was analysed from 14 sites in eight countries for a variety of NPS. All samples were collected over the 2019/2020 New Year period, a time which is characterized by celebrations and parties and therefore a time when more NPS may be consumed. Samples were extracted in the country of origin following a validated protocol and shipped to Australia for final analysis using two different mass spectrometric strategies. In total, more than 200 were monitored of which 16 substances were found, with geographical differences seen. This case study is the most comprehensive wastewater analysis study ever carried out for the identification of NPS and provides a starting point for future, ongoing monitoring of these substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Bade
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5001, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jason M White
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5001, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jingjing Chen
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5001, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Frederic Been
- KWR Water Research Institute, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Lubertus Bijlsma
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda, Sos Baynat s/n, E-12071 Castellón, Spain
| | - Daniel A Burgard
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA 98416, United States
| | - Sara Castiglioni
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Department of Environmental Sciences, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan Italy
| | - Noelia Salgueiro-Gonzalez
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Department of Environmental Sciences, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan Italy
| | - Alberto Celma
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda, Sos Baynat s/n, E-12071 Castellón, Spain
| | - Andrew Chappell
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited (ESR), Christchurch Science Centre: 27 Creyke Road, Ilam, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Erik Emke
- KWR Water Research Institute, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Ruud Steenbeek
- KWR Water Research Institute, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Degao Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, P. R. China, 116026
| | - Ettore Zuccato
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Department of Environmental Sciences, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan Italy
| | - Cobus Gerber
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5001, South Australia, Australia.
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