Testing for Drugs of Abuse: Part 1

Drugs of abuse are commonly encountered in the workplace and the occupational health specialist is often asked to perform and interpret tests to check for the presence of such substances. A clear understanding regarding the limitations of testing is required for this purpose as this field has many potential pitfalls. This is the first of two articles that provide a broad overview of the commonly encountered drugs of abuse (DOA); the biological samples that can be used; possible interferants and adulterants that may be encountered; and the role of the laboratory and pathologist. The second article in this series examines the technology involved; looking briefly at immunoassays and mass spectrometry; and issues regarding cut-points and interpretations

Consumo de sustancias y suicidios en México: resultados del sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica de las adicciones, 1994-2006 / Substance use in suicides in Mexico: results of the epidemiological surveillance system of addictions, 1994-2006

OBJETIVO: Determinar la relación que existe entre el consumo y número de sustancias y la presentación del suicidio. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Los datos se tomaronde la cédula forense del Sistema de Vigilancia Epidemiológica de las Adicciones entre 1994 y 2006 de 27 entidades federativas participantes en México. RESULTADOS: El suicidio se presentó en 8.7% de las defunciones por causa violenta en el periodo de estudio. En los hombres se observó que a medida que aumentaba el número de sustancias se elevaba la posibilidad para fallecer por suicidio, en comparación con los decesos por otras causas (una sustancia: RM= 1.8; dos o más: RM= 3.3). En las mujeres, dicha posibilidad se mantiene prácticamente igual en relación con el aumento del número de sustancias detectadas (una sustancia: RM= 3.2; dos o más: RM= 3.6). CONCLUSIÓN: El consumo de sustancias es un factor importante vinculado con el suicidio en los sujetos cuya causa de defunción fue dictaminada por el Servicio Médico Forense mexicano.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between substance use and the number of substances with the presentation of suicide. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were taken from the forensic certificate of the Epidemiological Surveillance System of Addictions in the period between 1994 and 2006 from 27 states in Mexico. RESULTS: Suicide was detected in 8.7% of the violent deaths during the study period. Among men, it was observed that the increased number of substances increased the possibility for death by suicide, compared to deaths from other causes (one substance: OR = 1.8; two or more: OR = 3.3). In women, that possibility remains virtually unchanged with the increase in the number of substances detected (one substance: OR = 3.2; two or more: OR = 3.6). DISCUSSION: The use of substances is a major factor associated with suicide in the population whose cause of death was issued by the Mexican Forensic Medical Services.

A pilot study of alcohol and drug-related traffic accidents and death in two Jamaican parishes, 1991

This study is a preliminary effort to document the role of drugs in motor vehicle accidents as it examines the presence of alcohol, marijuana and cocaine in blood samples of thirty-one motor vehicle fatalities. The study identified that males (90.3 percent) and pedestrians (41.9 percent) were killed most often. Evidence of alcohol intake was found in 77.5 percent of the fatalities and 35.5 percent had alcohol levels above the legal acceptable limits. Traces of marijuana were found in 22.5 percent and a combination of alcohol and marijuana in 22.5 percent of the victims