@article{ref1,
title="Detection of "bath salts" and other novel psychoactive substances in hair samples of ecstasy/MDMA/"Molly" users",
journal="Drug and alcohol dependence",
year="2016",
author="Palamar, Joseph J. and Salomone, Alberto and Vincenti, Marco and Cleland, Charles M.",
volume="161",
number="",
pages="200-205",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Ecstasy (MDMA) in the US is commonly adulterated with other drugs, but research has not focused on purity of ecstasy since the phenomenon of &quot;Molly&quot; (ecstasy marketed as pure MDMA) arose in the US. <br><br>METHODS: We piloted a rapid electronic survey in 2015 to assess use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and other drugs among 679 nightclub/festival-attending young adults (age 18-25) in New York City. A quarter (26.1%) of the sample provided a hair sample to be analyzed for the presence of select synthetic cathinones (&quot;bath salts&quot;) and some other NPS. Samples were analyzed using fully validated UHPLC-MS/MS methods. To examine consistency of self-report, analyses focused on the 48 participants with an analyzable hair sample who reported lifetime ecstasy/MDMA/Molly use. <br><br>RESULTS: Half (50.0%) of the hair samples contained MDMA, 47.9% contained butylone, and 10.4% contained methylone. Of those who reported no lifetime use of &quot;bath salts&quot;, stimulant NPS, or unknown pills or powders, about four out of ten (41.2%) tested positive for butylone, methylone, alpha-PVP, 5/6-APB, or 4-FA. Racial minorities were more likely to test positive for butylone or test positive for NPS after reporting no lifetime use. Frequent nightclub/festival attendance was the strongest predictor of testing positive for MDMA, butylone, or methylone. <br><br>DISCUSSION: Results suggest that many ecstasy-using nightclub/festival attendees may be unintentionally using &quot;bath salts&quot; or other NPS. Prevention and harm reduction education is needed for this population and &quot;drug checking&quot; (e.g., pill testing) may be beneficial for those rejecting abstinence.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0376-8716",
doi="10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.02.001",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.02.001"
}