Traces of Use: Uncovering Drug Use Insights From Paraphernalia Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The residue analysis of disposed paraphernalia from people who inject drugs is a novel way to discern drug taking behaviours. This study aimed to investigate the presence of conventional and novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in drug paraphernalia in South Australia.

Methods

Drug paraphernalia were collected in November and December 2024 from sharps disposal bins at three needle and syringe program locations. A total of 300 items of paraphernalia were taken from bins, including syringes, bags, drug storage vials/containers and filters. The items were rinsed with methanol, the solvent filtered and prepared for analysis using a Sciex 6500 + QTrap liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and detections confirmed using authentic reference materials

SUBMITTER: Keller EL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12831012 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature