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    Results of an international drug testing service for cryptomarket users

    241043_241043.pdf (652.2Kb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Caudevilla, F.
    Ventura, M.
    Fornís, I.
    Barratt, Monica
    Vidal, C.
    lladanosa, C.
    Quintana, P.
    Muñoz, A.
    Calzada, N.
    Date
    2015
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Caudevilla, F. and Ventura, M. and Fornís, I. and Barratt, M. and Vidal, C. and lladanosa, C. and Quintana, P. et al. 2016. Results of an international drug testing service for cryptomarket users. International Journal of Drug Policy. 35: pp.38-41.
    Source Title
    International Journal of Drug Policy
    DOI
    10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.04.017
    ISSN
    0955-3959
    School
    National Drug Research Institute (NDRI)
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/18081
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Introduction: User surveys indicate that expectations of higher drug purity are a key reason for cryptomarket use. In 2014-2015, Spain's NGO Energy Control conducted a 1-year pilot project to provide a testing service to cryptomarket drug users using the Transnational European Drug Information (TEDI) guidelines. In this paper, we present content and purity data from the trial. Methods: 219 samples were analyzed by gas chromatography associated with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Users were asked to report what substance they allegedly purchased. Results: 40 different advertised substances were reported, although 77.6% were common recreational drugs (cocaine, MDMA, amphetamines, LSD, ketamine, cannabis). In 200 samples (91.3%), the main result of analysis matched the advertised substance. Where the advertised compound was detected, purity levels (m. ±. SD) were: cocaine 71.6. ±. 19.4%; MDMA (crystal) 88.3. ±. 1.4%; MDMA (pills) 133.3. ±. 38.4. mg; Amphetamine (speed) 51.3. ±. 33.9%; LSD 123.6. ±. 40.5. µg; Cannabis resin THC: 16.5. ±. 7.5% CBD: 3.4. ±. 1.5%; Ketamine 71.3. ±. 38.4%. 39.8% of cocaine samples contained the adulterant levamisole (11.6. ±. 8%). No adulterants were found in MDMA and LSD samples. Discussion: The largest collection of test results from drug samples delivered from cryptomarkets are reported in this study. Most substances contained the advertised ingredient and most samples were of high purity. The representativeness of these results is unknown.

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