Prevalence of fentanyl in methamphetamine and cocaine samples collected by community-based drug checking services.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Overdose deaths involving stimulants and opioids simultaneously have raised the specter of widespread contamination of the stimulant supply with fentanyl.

Methods

We quantified prevalence of fentanyl in street methamphetamine and cocaine, stratified by crystalline texture, analyzing samples sent voluntarily to a public mail-in drug checking service (May 2021-June 2023). Samples from 77 harm reduction programs and clinics originated in 25 US states. Sample donors reported expected drug and physical descriptions. Substances were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Negative binomial models were used to calculate fentanyl prevalence, adjusting for potential confounders related to sample selection. We also examined if xylazine changed donors' accuracy o

SUBMITTER: Wagner KD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10688611 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature