Fentanyl quantification using portable infrared absorption spectroscopy. A framework for community drug checking

Ramsay, Margo; Gozdzialski, Lea; Larnder, Ashley; Wallace, Bruce; Hore, Dennis K.

doi:10.1016/j.vibspec.2021.103243

Cited by 19 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Community drug checking has been recognized as an important intervention in response to the illicit drug overdose crisis, in which rates of overdose deaths continue to escalate to unprecedented levels (Bardwell and Kerr, 2018; Barratt et al , 2018; Dasgupta et al , 2018; Laing et al , 2018; Measham, 2020). The enduring crisis is linked to the increasingly complex and unpredictable drugs in the illicit market which include synthetic opioids, predominantly fentanyl (Gozdzialski et al , 2021b; Green et al , 2020; McCrae et al , 2020; Ramsay et al , 2021; Ti et al , 2020; Tupper et al , 2018), as well as benzodiazepines (Bowles et al , 2021; McAuley et al , 2022) and the combinations of these active ingredients in the same supply (Gozdzialski et al , 2021a; Laing et al , 2021). Despite heightened demands for decriminalization and widespread access to safer, regulated drug options, there continues to be limited supply options beyond the existing unregulated market (Ivsins et al , 2020; Pardo et al , 2021; Tyndall, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A distributed model to expand the reach of drug checking

Wallace

Gozdzialski

Qbaich

et al. 2022

DHS

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Purpose While there is increasing interest in implementing drug checking within overdose prevention, we must also consider how to scale-up these responses so that they have significant reach and impact for people navigating the unpredictable and increasingly complex drug supplies linked to overdose. The purpose of this paper is to present a distributed model of community drug checking that addresses multiple barriers to increasing the reach of drug checking as a response to the illicit drug overdose crisis. Design/methodology/approach A detailed description of the key components of a distributed model of community drug checking is provided. This includes an integrated software platform that links a multi-instrument, multi-site service design with online service options, a foundational database that provides storage and reporting functions and a community of practice to facilitate engagement and capacity building. Findings The distributed model diminishes the need for technicians at multiple sites while still providing point-of-care results with local harm reduction engagement and access to confirmatory testing online and in localized reporting. It also reduces the need for training in the technical components of drug checking (e.g. interpreting spectra) for harm reduction workers. Moreover, its real-time reporting capability keeps communities informed about the crisis. Sites are additionally supported by a community of practice. Originality/value This paper presents innovations in drug checking technologies and service design that attempt to overcome current financial and technical barriers towards scaling-up services to a more equitable and impactful level and effectively linking multiple urban and rural communities to report concentration levels for substances most linked to overdose.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A distributed model to expand the reach of drug checking

Wallace

Gozdzialski

Qbaich

et al. 2022

DHS

Self Cite

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“…203 For example, a portable IR spectrometer has been used to quantify fentanyl in street samples. 204 Another hand-held device has been shown to accurately predict the purity of cocaine and heroin samples and to give general qualitative results in as little as five seconds. 205 The TruNarc hand-held Raman spectrometer from Thermo Scientific has already been adopted by many law enforcement agencies.…”

Section: ■ Chemistry: Seized Drugs and Toxicologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Vibrational spectroscopy also has a history of being used for controlled substance analysis ,− and is often paired with chemometrics to mine complex data. ,− One reason that vibrational spectroscopy is well suited for forensic analysis is that hand-held IR and Raman spectrometers can be used to analyze evidence in the field, such as illicit drugs . For example, a portable IR spectrometer has been used to quantify fentanyl in street samples . Another hand-held device has been shown to accurately predict the purity of cocaine and heroin samples and to give general qualitative results in as little as five seconds …”

Section: Chemistry: Seized Drugs and Toxicologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Innovative Vibrational Spectroscopy Research for Forensic Application

et al. 2023

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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%

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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Fentanyl quantification using portable infrared absorption spectroscopy. A framework for community drug checking

Cited by 19 publications

References 35 publications

A distributed model to expand the reach of drug checking

A distributed model to expand the reach of drug checking

Innovative Vibrational Spectroscopy Research for Forensic Application

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

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