Portable gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in drug checking: Detection of carfentanil and etizolam in expected opioid samples
Date
2021
Authors
Gozdzialski, Lea
Aasen, Jarred
Larnder, Ashley
Ramsay, Margo
Borden, Scott A.
Saatchi, Armin
Gill, Chris G.
Wallace, Bruce
Hore, Dennis K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Drug Policy
Abstract
Background: There has been a recent increase in adulteration of opioids with low concentration actives such as fentanyl analogues and benzodiazepines. As drug checking projects using vibrational spectroscopy continue to seek confirmatory lab-based testing, the concern and reality of missing these potentially harmful substances in point-of-care testing is prevalent.
Methods: A portable GC-MS was used to analyze select opioid samples acquired at a drug checking service in Victoria, Canada (
). Certified reference standards of several fentanyl analogues and benzodiazepines were measured to guide targeted analysis of these samples. Results were compared with those obtained using a lab-based paper spray mass spectrometer.
Results: Portable GC-MS was able to identify 62% of samples containing carfentanil and 36% of samples containing etizolam. In the case of etizolam, the success rate was higher for more potent samples: 78% of etizolam-containing samples were identified when the etizolam concentration was above 3% by weight. In comparison, infrared spectroscopy was able to detect etizolam in only 9% of the etizolam-containing samples, and is not sensitive enough to detect carfentanil at relevant concentrations.
Conclusions: Portable GC-MS has potential in identifying low concentration substances in a point-of-care setting, without relying on subsequent off-site confirmatory testing.
Description
The authors acknowledge the University of Victoria and Vancouver Island University for their ongoing support of our research and students.
Keywords
Drug checking, Gas chromatography, Mass spectrometry, Fentanyl, Carfentanil, Etizolam, Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR)
Citation
Gozdzialski, L., Aasen, J., Larnder, A., Ramsay, M., Borden, S. A., Saatchi, A., Gill, C. G., Wallace, B., & Hore, D. K. (2021). Portable gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in drug checking: Detection of carfentanil and etizolam in expected opioid samples. International Journal of Drug Policy, 97, 103409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103409