A study showed that analysing smartphone swabs could serve as a valuable and supplementary method for drug testing.
Some individuals have resorted to using their smartphones as a platform for drug consumption. This unconventional method involves placing drugs, typically in powdered form, directly onto the screen of the smartphone and inhaling or ingesting them from there. The rationale behind this practice may vary, with factors such as discretion, convenience, and the desire to avoid using traditional drug paraphernalia playing a role.
The widespread use of smartphones for this purpose highlights the need for innovative approaches in drug prevention and intervention strategies to address evolving trends in substance abuse.
The Study:
A study investigated whether smartphones could help track drug trends. The study took place at two different events at an electronic music nightclub in Grenoble, France.
Anonymously, researchers asked people who used drugs about their drug use and whether they snorted drugs from their phone.
Then, researchers used a dry swab to rub all sides of the smartphone for 20 seconds. The collected extract underwent analysis using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry on a Xevo TQ-XS system (Waters).
Results:
Researchers collected 122 swabs from 122 drug users. The three main drugs identified were MDMA (83), cocaine (59), and THC (51).
Additional substances like ketamine, heroin, and LSD, as well as medications such as antidepressants and painkillers were also detected.
The study also revealed that it distinguished distinct usage patterns between the two events.
Findings:
This preliminary study involving 122 subjects suggests that analysing smartphone swabs could serve as a valuable and supplementary method for drug testing, particularly in harm-reduction initiatives and toxico-epidemiological research.
Despite relying on self-reported data, the test performance remains acceptable. However, whilst a drug/s may be detected on, for example, a mobile phone, the question remains as to how it got there? Although direct drug contact may have occurred, secondary transfer must also be considered i.e. the phone had been in contact with a drug-contaminated item or substance.
