Michele L. Merves

Event-level analyses of energy drink consumption and alcohol intoxication in bar patrons

AIM To assess event-level associations between energy drink consumption, alcohol intoxication, and intention to drive a motor vehicle in patrons exiting bars at night. METHOD Alcohol field study. Data collected in a U.S. college bar district from 802 randomly selected and self-selected patrons. Anonymous interview and survey data were obtained as well as breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) readings. RESULTS Results from logistic regression models revealed that patrons who had consumed alcohol mixed with energy drinks were at a 3-fold increased risk of leaving a bar highly intoxicated (BrAC> or =0.08g/210L), as well as a 4-fold increased risk of intending to drive upon leaving the bar district, compared to other drinking patrons who did not consume alcoholic beverages mixed with energy drinks. DISCUSSION These event-level associations provide additional evidence that energy drink consumption by young adults at bars is a marker for elevated involvement in nighttime risk-taking behavior. Further field research is needed to develop sound regulatory policy on alcohol/energy drink sales practices of on-premise establishments.

Putting an Ecstasy Test Kit to the Test: Harm Reduction or Harm Induction?

Objective. To evaluate the DanceSafe Complete Adulterant Screening Kit for Ecstasy with regard to its accuracy in identifying 3,4‐methylenedioxymeth‐amphetamine (MDMA) and methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) derivatives and its ability to detect certain contaminants.

Event-specific analyses of poly-drug abuse and concomitant risk behavior in a college bar district in Florida

Objective: The authors describe the epidemiology of risk behavior associated with poly-drug use in a college bar district of a large campus community. Participants: A total of 469 bar patrons participated in the study. Methods: The authors used self-report data and biological measures collected from patrons outside bars in July and August of 2007. Results: The mean breath alcohol concentration of the exiting patrons was 0.09. Illicit and prescription drug use on the nights of data collection and in the recent past were significant features of the profile of patron risk behavior. About one-quarter of the patrons using only alcohol reported an intention to drive a vehicle within 60 minutes of leaving an establishment, compared with almost one-half of those using both alcohol and marijuana. Conclusions: A substantial amount of high-risk behavior was generated from the bar district on 4 typical nights. College bar districts should be a priority focus for prevention efforts.

Quantitation of Opioids in Blood and Urine Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

The opioid and 6-acetylmorphine assays utilize gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the analysis of morphine, codeine, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, and 6-acetylmorphine in blood and urine. The specimens are fortified with deuterated internal standard and a five-point calibration curve is constructed. Specimens are extracted by mixed-mode solid phase extraction. The morphine, codeine, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, and 6-acetylmorphine extracts are derivatized with N-methyl-bis(trifluoroacetamide) (MBTFA) producing trifluoroacetyl derivatives. The final extracts are then analyzed using selected ion monitoring GC-MS.

5-HTTLPR genotype and associations with intoxication and intention to drive: results from a field study of bar patrons

The serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (5‐HTTLPR) has been linked to a number of human behavioral traits and disorders. The variants of 5‐HTTLPR are commonly reported in three forms, L/L, S/L and S/S, with the latter most often associated with emotional distress and/or behavioral dysfunction. Missing from the research literature are investigations that assess event‐level associations between 5‐HTTLPR genotype and specific incidents of risk behavior in natural drinking settings. This study reports associations between 5‐HTTLPR, alcohol intoxication and intention to drive among young adult patrons exiting on‐premise drinking establishments (i.e. bars) at night. Self‐report measures, breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) readings and saliva samples for DNA analysis were collected from 477 bar patrons. Analyses were performed on 225 patrons likely to be near their peak intoxication level for the night. Results from a linear regression revealed that the 5‐HTTLPR genotype was associated with exiting patron BrAC, after adjusting for random and fixed effects of other variables. An interaction effect involving 5‐HTTLPR and bar‐sponsored drink specials also had an independent association with BrAC, suggesting that selection of price‐discounted alcoholic beverages increased intoxication in patrons with an L allele. In addition, results from logistic regression indicated that patrons with the S/S genotype were three times more likely to intend to drive a motor vehicle (after drinking on the night of study participation) compared with those with the L/L genotype. The 5‐HTTLPR genotype may play an important role in the etiology of problems associated with on‐premise drinking establishments.

Quantitation of fentanyl in blood and urine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Fentanyl is a potent, short-acting synthetic opioid analgesic. Fentanyl is measured in blood and urine following mixed-mode solid phase extraction. The specimens are fortified with deuterated internal standard and a five-point calibration curve is constructed. The final extracts are reconstituted in methanol and analyzed using selected ion monitoring gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Chapter 13 – Forensic Toxicology

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on forensic toxicology, which is the study and practice of the application of toxicology for the purposes of the law. It demands the pursuit of scientific discovery within the rigors of the legal system to emphasize truth (accuracy), justice (impartiality), and the public good. Due to various technological and procedural advances, this field has matured into three distinct disciplines, which include postmortem forensic toxicology, human performance forensic toxicology, and forensic urine drug testing. Postmortem forensic toxicology determines the absence or presence of drugs and their metabolites, chemicals such as ethanol and other volatile substances, carbon monoxide and other gases, metals, and other toxic chemicals in human fluids and tissues, and evaluates their role as a determinant or contributory factor in the cause and manner of death. Human performance forensic toxicology, also known as behavioral toxicology, determines the absence or presence of ethanol and other drugs and chemicals in blood, breath, or other appropriate specimen(s), and evaluates their role in modifying human performance or behavior. Forensic urine drug testing determines the absence or presence of drugs and their metabolites in urine to demonstrate prior use or abuse. In forensic toxicology, each specimen is tracked by detailed documentation, from the time of its collection to the time of its disposal, and then each positive result is confirmed by a second analytical test before being reported.

Quantitation of Benzodiazepines in Blood and Urine Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

The benzodiazepine assay utilizes gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the analysis of diazepam, nordiazepam, oxazepam, temazepam, lorazepam, alpha-hydroxyalprazolam, and alpha-hydroxytriazolam in blood and urine. A separate assay is employed for the analysis of alprazolam. Prior to solid phase extraction, urine specimens are subjected to enzyme hydrolysis. The specimens are fortified with deuterated internal standard and a five-point calibration curve is constructed. Specimens are extracted by mixed-mode solid phase extraction. The benzodiazepine extracts are derivatized with N-methyl-N-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MTBSFTA) producing tert-butyldimethyl silyl derivatives; the alprazolam extracts are reconstituted in methanol without derivatization. The final extracts are then analyzed using selected ion monitoring GC-MS.

Quantitation of Oxycodone in Blood and Urine Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

Oxycodone is a semisynthetic opioid analgesic used in pain management. In the following method, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is used to determine the presence and concentration of the drug in blood and urine. The specimens are fortified with deuterated internal standard and a five-point calibration curve is constructed. Specimens are extracted using mixed-mode solid phase extraction and derivatized with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) producing trimethylsilyl derivatives. The final extracts are then analyzed using selected ion monitoring GC-MS.