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Portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in drug checking: Detection of carfentanil and etizolam in expected opioid samples.
- Source :
-
International Journal of Drug Policy . Nov2021, Vol. 97, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- <bold>Background: </bold>There has been a recent increase in adulteration of opioids with low concentration actives such as fentanyl analogues and benzodiazepines. As drug checking projects using vibrational spectroscopy continue to seek confirmatory lab-based testing, the concern and reality of missing these potentially harmful substances in point-of-care testing is prevalent.<bold>Methods: </bold>A portable GC-MS was used to analyze select opioid samples acquired at a drug checking service in Victoria, Canada (n=59). Certified reference standards of several fentanyl analogues and benzodiazepines were measured to guide targeted analysis of these samples. Results were compared with those obtained using a lab-based paper spray mass spectrometer.<bold>Results: </bold>Portable GC-MS was able to identify 62% of samples containing carfentanil and 36% of samples containing etizolam. In the case of etizolam, the success rate was higher for more potent samples: 78% of etizolam-containing samples were identified when the etizolam concentration was above 3% by weight. In comparison, infrared spectroscopy was able to detect etizolam in only 9% of the etizolam-containing samples, and is not sensitive enough to detect carfentanil at relevant concentrations.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Portable GC-MS has potential in identifying low concentration substances in a point-of-care setting, without relying on subsequent off-site confirmatory testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09553959
- Volume :
- 97
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- International Journal of Drug Policy
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 153323179
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103409