Concentrations of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cocaine and 6-monoacetylmorphine in hair of drug abusers.

Abstract

Hair samples taken from 850 individuals with presumed drug abuse were tested simultaneously for delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cocaine, heroin, the primary heroin metabolite 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) and morphine. The drugs were extracted with methanol under sonication. Compared to other extraction procedures this solvent extraction technique provides high extraction yields and less experimental effort. The analyses were carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. This procedure allows the simultaneous detection of amphetamine, methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methylenedioxylamphetamine (MDE). THC was found in 104 (12.2%), cocaine in 230 (27%) and 6-MAM in 141 (16.6%) samples. In addition to 6-MAM, morphine was detected in 87 (10.2%) and heroin in 38 samples (4.5%). The concentrations found were in a range 0.009-16.7 ng/mg for THC, 0.037-129.68 ng/mg for cocaine, 0.028-79.82 ng/mg for 6-MAM, 0.045-53.14 ng/mg for heroin and 0.011-7.800 ng/mg for morphine. The statistical distribution of the drug concentrations compared with the self-reported consumption behaviour of the users may possibly lead to a better understanding of the relationship between drug dosage and corresponding concentrations in hair.

• Authors: G Kauert, J Röhrich
• Journal: International journal of legal medicine (Int J Legal Med) Vol. 108 Issue 6 Pg. 294-9 ( 1996) ISSN: 0937-9827 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 8793636 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Designer Drugs
• Illicit Drugs
• Morphine Derivatives
• Psychotropic Drugs
• 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine
• Dronabinol
• Amphetamine
• Cocaine
• N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
• 6-O-monoacetylmorphine
• 3,4-methylenedioxyethamphetamine

Topics

• 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (analogs & derivatives, analysis)
• Accidents, Traffic (legislation & jurisprudence)
• Amphetamine (analysis)
• Cocaine (analysis)
• Crime (legislation & jurisprudence)
• Designer Drugs (analysis)
• Dronabinol (analysis)
• Expert Testimony (legislation & jurisprudence)
• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
• Hair (chemistry)
• Heroin Dependence (diagnosis)
• Humans
• Illicit Drugs (analysis)
• Marijuana Abuse (diagnosis)
• Morphine Derivatives (analysis)
• N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (analysis)
• Opioid-Related Disorders (diagnosis)
• Psychotropic Drugs (analysis)
• Sensitivity and Specificity