Taking the Pissoir: a novel and reliable way of knowing what drugs are being used in nightclubs

TY - JOUR

T1 - Taking the Pissoir

T2 - a novel and reliable way of knowing what drugs are being used in nightclubs

AU - Archer, J. R. H.

AU - Dargan, P. I.

AU - Hudson, S.

AU - Davies, S.

AU - Puchnarewicz, M.

AU - Kicman, A. T.

AU - Ramsey, J.

AU - Measham, F.

AU - Wood, M.

AU - Johnston, A.

AU - Wood, David

PY - 2014

Y1 - 2014

N2 - Background: The epidemiology on recreational drug use is based on self-reported user surveys. The scope of this is limited as users are often not aware of exactly what drug(s) they are using. Waste water (sewage plant) analysis has been used to identify "regional" recreational drug use but is limited by a lack of understanding of the metabolism and stability of novel recreational drugs. Aims: The feasibility of collecting pooled urine samples from a sub-population attending a night-club using a portal urinal to confirm the classical and novel recreational drugs being used. Design and Methods: Urine samples were collected from a nightclub over one weekend for analysis by various chromatographic techniques involving mass spectrometry. Results: Classical recreational drugs and novel psychoactive substance, including mephedrone, 3-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine and 2-aminoindane were found. Parent drug/metabolites were also detected for amphetamine, cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, mephedrone and 3-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine. Conclusion: Anonymous pooled urine samples from within a nightclub can be used to confirm the actual drugs being used by some individuals within this sub-population. Metabolite detection indicates drugs were being used and not simply discarded into the urinal. This methodology could be used to monitor recreational drug trend in other environments, e. g. schools, geographical regions/areas and compare drug use over time.

AB - Background: The epidemiology on recreational drug use is based on self-reported user surveys. The scope of this is limited as users are often not aware of exactly what drug(s) they are using. Waste water (sewage plant) analysis has been used to identify "regional" recreational drug use but is limited by a lack of understanding of the metabolism and stability of novel recreational drugs. Aims: The feasibility of collecting pooled urine samples from a sub-population attending a night-club using a portal urinal to confirm the classical and novel recreational drugs being used. Design and Methods: Urine samples were collected from a nightclub over one weekend for analysis by various chromatographic techniques involving mass spectrometry. Results: Classical recreational drugs and novel psychoactive substance, including mephedrone, 3-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine and 2-aminoindane were found. Parent drug/metabolites were also detected for amphetamine, cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, mephedrone and 3-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine. Conclusion: Anonymous pooled urine samples from within a nightclub can be used to confirm the actual drugs being used by some individuals within this sub-population. Metabolite detection indicates drugs were being used and not simply discarded into the urinal. This methodology could be used to monitor recreational drug trend in other environments, e. g. schools, geographical regions/areas and compare drug use over time.

KW - Legal highs

KW - novel recreational drugs

KW - mephedrone

KW - waste-water analysis

KW - night-time economy

KW - mass-spectrometry

KW - 2ND-GENERATION LEGAL HIGHS

KW - ECSTASY MARKET

KW - MEPHEDRONE

KW - PREVALENCE

U2 - 10.3109/14659891.2012.740139

DO - 10.3109/14659891.2012.740139

M3 - Article

SN - 1465-9891

VL - 19

SP - 103

EP - 107

JO - Journal of Substance Use

JF - Journal of Substance Use

IS - 1-2

ER -