28 Mar 2024
Monday 16 March 2015 - 12:03
Story Code : 155756

Iranian scientist develops new robust method for checking drug abuse

[caption id="attachment_94110" align="alignright" width="182"]Handcuffed suspects sit on the ground after officers arrest and detain suspected drug users and dealers during a sweep in a southern neighborhood of Tehran, April 7, 2009. (photo by REUTERS/Jamejam Online/Chavosh Homavandi) Handcuffed suspects sit on the ground after officers arrest and detain suspected drug users and dealers during a sweep in a southern neighborhood of Tehran, April 7, 2009. (photo by REUTERS/Jamejam Online/Chavosh Homavandi)[/caption]

TEHRAN (ISNA)- An Iranian researcher Marjan Shafaati along with her colleagues at Karolinska University has developed a new method for checking drug abuse by testing exhalted breath.

Drug abuse is a serious problem, that has destroyed the lives of several young men and women across the country.

The procedure involves a simple method of sample collection and preparation, which is followed by a highly sensitive analytical technique known as LC-MS (Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry).

The underlying mechanism in exhaled breath drug testing is believed to be the formation of aerosol particles from the airway lining fluid by the breathing process. Read about the famous people who beat drug addiction.

These aerosol particles may become contaminated with drugs present in the body, which enables drugs to be highlighted, explained lead researcher professor Olof Beck of Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

A simple collection device is currently available which selectively collects the micrometer aerosol particles on a filter and enables further laboratory investigation of possible drug content, informed Beck.

Drug testing is most commonly performed using urine samples.

However, the methodology of sample collection is often perceived as inconvenient and privacy-overriding by those undergoing the test.

The drug groups which are identifiable following the technique include amphetamines, methamphetamines, cannabis, cocaine and heroin.

The researchers are hopeful that their method of drug testing can be used routinely in roadside tests relating to DUID (Driving Under the Influence of Drugs).

Yes, I see many possible applications of breath drug testing, DUID is only one. Workplace, criminal justice, accidents and compliance monitoring of patients are others, Beck said.

For DUID, the short detection time is relevant since the state of influence is in focus, and this combined with the convenient sampling procedure makes it an attractive solution for roadside testing, he added.

By ISNA
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