@article{ref1,
title="Portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in drug checking: detection of carfentanil and etizolam in expected opioid samples",
journal="International journal on drug policy",
year="2021",
author="Gozdzialski, Lea and Aasen, Jarred and Larnder, Ashley and Ramsay, Margo and Borden, Scott A. and Saatchi, Armin and Gill, Chris G. and Wallace, Bruce and Hore, Dennis K.",
volume="97",
number="",
pages="e103409-e103409",
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. <br><br>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. <br><br>RESULTS were compared with those obtained using a lab-based paper spray mass spectrometer. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0955-3959",
doi="10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103409",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103409"
}