Suitability of infrared spectroscopy for drug checking in harm reduction centres

Goncalves, Ruben; Titier, Karine; Latour, V.; Peyré, Alexandre; Castaing, Nadège; Daveluy, Amélie; Molimard, Mathiéu

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.103037

Cited by 12 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…IR spectroscopy can identify a wide range of compounds, but it has limited sensitivity in comparison with immunoassay test strips. Recent assessments of the suitability of IR spectroscopy for community drug checking focus on the detection and quantification of fentanyl and other compounds found in the opioid drug supply [ 10 , 11 , 62 ]. People with a limited background in science have been successfully trained to operate IR spectrometers; however, concerns remain around the possibility of misinterpreting data, as well as failing to recognize, and communicate, the limitations of such instruments [ 10 , 13 , 29 ].…”

Section: Background On Some Drug Checking Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To date, many instruments have been proposed and explored within the context of drug checking [ 8 , 9 ] including infrared absorption spectroscopy [ 10 – 13 ], Raman scattering [ 14 , 15 ], surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) [ 16 – 18 ], nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) [ 19 , 20 ], ion mobility [ 21 ], electrochemical detection methods [ 22 ], and mass spectrometry (MS) either on its own [ 21 ] or coupled with gas chromatography (GC–MS) [ 14 , 23 , 24 ], liquid chromatography (LC–MS) [ 10 , 14 , 20 , 23 ] or paper spray (PSMS) [ 25 , 26 ]. Practically, there is often a trade-off between accuracy, cost, portability, speed, and ease-of-use including whether specialized training is required.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Point-of-care community drug checking technologies: an insider look at the scientific principles and practical considerations

2023

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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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Section: Background On Some Drug Checking Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Point-of-care community drug checking technologies: an insider look at the scientific principles and practical considerations

2023

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“…A key distinction is between those which operate on a transitory basis at festivals and nightlife settings (known primarily as event-based drug checking) and those which operate on a permanent basis with individuals submitting samples directly for testing (known as community-based drug checking) [20,24,[27][28][29]. Whilst DCS have often been seen as interventions aimed at those who use drugs within nightlife and leisure settings, there has been recent interest in community-based services which engage with those who carry the highest burden of drug-related harm [28,[30][31][32][33]. For example, in North America, DCS have been driven by the ongoing opioid overdose crisis [31], and are typically integrated into low-threshold settings such as overdose prevention sites and other harm reduction services [18,[34][35][36][37].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Whilst the increase of DCS globally has led to a subsequent diversification of service models and settings [19][20][21], there has been limited attention in the literature to different models of service provision and their suitability for different types/patterns of drug use. Studies have highlighted the need for DCS to be implemented in trusted, non-authoritative and low-threshold settings [28,33,44,45], but there has been limited studies of different settings in which drug checking is offered, and how barriers and facilitators to engagement may differ across these settings. This paper addresses this gap by exploring the perceptions of Scottish stakeholders regarding the suitability of different sites and service models for the delivery of DCS to inform service delivery in three cities: Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

'It’s not going to be a one size fits all': a qualitative exploration of the potential utility of three drug checking service models in Scotland

Carver,

Falzon,

Masterton

et al. 2023

Harm Reduct J

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Background Scotland currently has the highest rates of drug-related deaths in Europe, so drug checking services are being explored due to their potential role in reducing these deaths and related harms. Drug checking services allow individuals to submit presumed psychoactive drug samples for analysis, and then receive individualised feedback and counselling. This paper explores participants’ views on the advantages and challenges of three hypothetical service models, to inform future service delivery in Scotland. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 43 people: 27 professional stakeholders, 11 people with experience of drug use, and five family members across three cities. Vignettes were used to provide short descriptions of three hypothetical service models during the interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Results Participants identified advantages and challenges for each of the three potential service models. The third sector (not-for-profit) model was favoured overall by participants, and the NHS substance use treatment service was the least popular. Participants also noted that multiple drug checking sites within one city, along with outreach models would be advantageous, to meet the diverse needs of different groups of people who use drugs. Conclusions Drug checking services need to be tailored to local context and needs, with a range of service models being possible, in order to meet the needs of a heterogeneous group of people who use drugs. Addressing issues around stigma, accessibility, and concerns about the potential impact of accessing drug checking on access to and outcomes of drug treatment, are essential for successful service delivery.

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“…One division of DCS type is between festival/nightlife DCS, which typically provide transient checking facilities at particular events [9], and community-based DCS, which are typically permanent, fixed-site services (with some services providing both forms of drug checking concurrently) [5]. Although there have been some examples of DCS in Europe catering to more marginalised groups of PWUD [5,10,11], the popular understanding and framing of DCS in Europe is as an intervention typically geared towards younger, 'recreational' PWUD [12]. Correspondingly, much of the literature has focused on drug checking as an intervention aimed at this demographic [8,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Realist Review of How Community-Based Drug Checking Services Could Be Designed and Implemented to Promote Engagement of People Who Use Drugs

Masterton

Falzon

Burton

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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With rising numbers of drug-related deaths in the UK and globally, exploration of interventions that seek to reduce drug-related harm is essential. Drug checking services (DCS) allow people to submit drug samples for chemical analysis and receive feedback about the sample, as well as harm reduction advice. The use of DCS is often linked to festival and/or nightlife settings and to so-called ‘recreational’ drug use, but research has also shown the potential of community-based DCS as an intervention serving more varied demographics of people who use drugs, including more marginalised individuals and those experiencing drug dependence. Whilst there is a growing evidence base on the effectiveness of drug checking as a harm reduction intervention, there is still limited evidence of the underlying mechanisms and processes within DCS which may aid implementation and subsequent engagement of people who use drugs. This presents a challenge to understanding why engagement differs across types of DCS, and how best to develop and deliver services across different contexts and for different populations. To explore the contexts and mechanisms which impact engagement in community-based DCS, a realist review was undertaken to synthesise the international evidence for the delivery and implementation of DCS. There were 133 sources included in the review. From these sources the underlying contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes relating to DCS implementation and engagement were developed and refined into seven programme theories. The findings of this review are theoretically novel and hold practical relevance for the design of DCS, with implications for optimisation, tailoring, and implementing services to reach individuals in different settings.

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Suitability of infrared spectroscopy for drug checking in harm reduction centres

Cited by 12 publications

References 20 publications

Point-of-care community drug checking technologies: an insider look at the scientific principles and practical considerations

Point-of-care community drug checking technologies: an insider look at the scientific principles and practical considerations

'It’s not going to be a one size fits all': a qualitative exploration of the potential utility of three drug checking service models in Scotland

A Realist Review of How Community-Based Drug Checking Services Could Be Designed and Implemented to Promote Engagement of People Who Use Drugs

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