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Concentrations of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cocaine and 6-monoacetylmorphine in hair of drug abusers

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Abstract

Hair samples taken from 850 individuals with presumed drug abuse were tested simultaneously forΔ9tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cocaine, heroin, the primary heroin metabolite 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) and morphine. The drugs were extracted with methanol under sonication. Compared to other extraction procedures this solvent extraction technique provides high extraction yields and less experimental effort. The analyses were carried out using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GCMS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. This procedure allows the simultaneous detection of amphetamine, methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), methylenedioxymetbamphetamine (MDMA) and methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDE). THC was found in 104 (12.2%), cocaine in 230 (27%) and 6-MAM in 141 (16.6%) samples. In addition to 6-MAM, morphine was detected in 87 (10.2%) and heroin in 38 samples (4.5%). The concentrations found were in a range 0.009-16.7 ng/mg for THC, 0.037-129.68 ng/mg for cocaine, 0.028-79.82 ng/mg for 6-MAM, 0.045-53.14 ng/mg for heroin and 0.011-7.800 ng/mg for morphine. The statistical distribution of the drug concentrations compared with the self-reported consumption behaviour of the users may possibly lead to a better understanding of the relationship between drug dosage and corresponding concentrations in hair.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zentrum der Rechtsmedizin, Universität Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596, Frankfurt, Germany

    G. Kauert & J. Röhrich

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  1. G. Kauert
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  2. J. Röhrich
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Kauert, G., Röhrich, J. Concentrations of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cocaine and 6-monoacetylmorphine in hair of drug abusers. Int J Leg Med 108, 294–299 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02432123

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02432123

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