Harm reduction journal
July 28, 2023
Théo Willeman, Nathan Grundig, Christine Pochon et al.
8 citations
Between February and September 2021, a study of 45 samples from 33 people who use 3-MMC in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France, found that the purity of the powder ranged from 21% to 98%. Most users were male (91%), median age 40, and regular users who bought the drug online via the Clear Web. Intravenous use was reported by 15.2% of participants. Other drugs, including 4-CEC, 4-MMC, and 2-FDCK, were also detected. Drug testing was requested by 86% of users, indicating a strong desire for harm reduction services. The data suggest that drug-checking programs can help this population.
Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine
August 27, 2024
Théo Willeman, Justine Grunwald, Marc Manceau et al.
3 citations
Smartphone swabs can detect a range of recreational drugs and medications, offering a new, non-invasive tool for monitoring drug use. In a nightclub study in Grenoble, France, 122 drug users had their smartphones swabbed and analyzed. The three main drugs found were MDMA (83 phones), cocaine (59), and THC (51). Sensitivity ranged from 73% to 97.2% and specificity from 71.8% to 88.1% for these three drugs compared with self-reported use. Other substances detected included ketamine, amphetamine, LSD, methamphetamine, heroin, and several new psychoactive substances, as well as medications like antidepressants and painkillers. Different drug-use patterns emerged between techno and trance events. The method shows acceptable test performance and could complement existing drug testing for harm reduction and toxico-epidemiology.