The aim of this study was to
investigate psychoactive drug use among nightclub patrons by analysing samples
of oral fluid and compare with findings in blood samples from criminal
suspects.
We hypothesized that the profile of illicit drug use among nightclub
patrons is different from what we observe in those forensic cases. Research
stations were established outside nine popular nightclubs with different
profiles and patron-characteristics in downtown Oslo. Data and sample
collection was conducted on Fridays and Saturdays in March and May 2014.
Individuals and groups who entered defined recruitment zones from 23:00 to
03:30 were invited to participate in this voluntary and anonymous study. Oral
fluid was collected using the Intercept Oral Fluid Sampling Device. Methanol
was added to increase the recovery of cannabinoids from the device. Sample
preparation was performed using liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl
acetate/heptane (4:1) after adding internal standards, ammonium carbonate
buffer pH 9.3 and Triton X100. The first 80 samples were analysed for 122
substances, which included psychoactive medicinal drugs, classical illicit
drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS). Based on the findings and
discussions with police and customs authorities, the remaining oral fluid
samples were analysed for 46 substances.
Among the 500 samples collected during
the study period, we found illicit drugs in 25.4% and medicinal drugs in 4.2%
of the samples. The most prevalent substances were: cocaine 14.6%, THC 12.4%,
amphetamine/methamphetamine 2.8%, diazepam 1.2% and clonazepam 1.0%. Various
NPS were found in 1.4% of the samples.
The prevalence of drugs in blood samples
from criminal suspects were for cocaine 3.4%, THC 34.7%,
amphetamine/methamphetamine 37.0%, diazepam 12.0%, and clonazepam 29.3%.
Multi-drug use was more common among criminal suspects (41.3%) than among club
patrons (6.8%).
The results showed that the drug use pattern among nightclub
patrons was substantially different from the drug use pattern manifested by
individuals apprehended by the police suspected for criminal conduct.
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By:
- 1Division of Forensic Sciences, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 4404, Nydalen, NO-0403 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: hallvard.gjerde@fhi.no.
- 2Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research (SIRUS), PO Box 565, Sentrum, NO-0105 Oslo, Norway.
- 3Division of Forensic Sciences, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 4404, Nydalen, NO-0403 Oslo, Norway.
- Forensic Sci Int. 2015 Dec 30;265:1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.12.029
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