Lea Gozdzialski1, Jarred Aasen2, Ashley Larnder1, Margo Ramsay1, Scott A Borden3, Armin Saatchi3, Chris G Gill4, Bruce Wallace5, Dennis K Hore6. 1. Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3V6, Canada. 2. Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2Y2, Canada; Lantern Services, 820 Cormorant Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1R1, Canada. 3. Applied Environmental Research Laboratories (AERL), Department of Chemistry, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 5S5, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3V6, Canada. 4. Applied Environmental Research Laboratories (AERL), Department of Chemistry, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 5S5, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3V6, Canada; Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, United States. 5. 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. 6. Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3V6, Canada; Department of Computer Science, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3P6, Canada. Electronic address: dkhore@uvic.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: Portable GC-MS has potential in identifying low concentration substances in a point-of-care setting, without relying on subsequent off-site confirmatory testing.
BACKGROUND: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: Portable GC-MS has potential in identifying low concentration substances in a point-of-care setting, without relying on subsequent off-site confirmatory testing.
Authors: Henry West; John L Fitzgerald; Katherine L Hopkins; Michael G Leeming; Matthew DiRago; Dimitri Gerostamoulos; Nicolas Clark; Paul Dietze; Jonathan M White; James Ziogas; Gavin E Reid Journal: Drug Test Anal Date: 2022-05-23 Impact factor: 3.234