USEFULNESS OF SWEAT COLLECTION PATCHES FOR THE DRUG ANALYSIS IN A GROUP OF INMATES IN THE PENAL POPULATION IN MADRID
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20882/adicciones.378Keywords:
Prison, inmates, drug analysis, sweat, urineAbstract
Objective: Ascertaining the usefulness and acceptance of sweat collection systems in order to establish the use of drugs in prison populations. Comparing the results of sweat and urine sample analyses. Methodology: Observational cross-sectional study in a sample of 51 Grade-Three inmates or on parole involving an analysis of opiate and cocaine use on the basis of patches and urine samples. Results: 82.35% of the sample considered that sweat collection systems are a good procedure in determining drug use. 81.75% of the patches were found completely adhered to the skin at removal, whereas 22.7% were partially or completely unstuck. Of the 170 patches which were analysed, cocaine was detected in 14.12% of them, opiates in 0.59%, and both substances were detected in 2.94% patches. An association was found when comparing these results with those from the urine analyses ( p < 0.0001). Discussion: Patches are easy to apply and, when they detach easy to detect. It is possible that unstuck patches have become spontaneously detached as a result of the excessive perspiration found in patients receiving high doses of methadone or from high summer temperatures. However, the possibility that the patches have been voluntarily detached cannot be excluded.References
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