SOFT 2004 Meeting Abstracts - Society of Forensic Toxicologists
SOFT 2004 Meeting Abstracts - Society of Forensic Toxicologists
SOFT 2004 Meeting Abstracts - Society of Forensic Toxicologists
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F8 <br />
UNUSUAL DRUG TEST RESULTS FROM KNOWN HEROIN USERS<br />
Neil Fortner*l , Doug Crook l , Dr. Robert Turk 2 , Andrew Waszyn 3<br />
iPharmChem Inc., Haltom City, TX, USA, 2Center for Toxicology Services, Inc, Humble, TX, USA<br />
,3United States Probation, Western District <strong>of</strong>Pennsylvania<br />
The use <strong>of</strong> total morphine levels in urine has traditionally been one approach to predicting the use <strong>of</strong><br />
heroin. Recently we have encountered several situations that would suggest this practice should be revisited.<br />
Five individuals that were either on supervised release or on parole were tested for illicit drugs as a<br />
condition <strong>of</strong> their release. These individuals were comprised <strong>of</strong> two black males, one black female, one<br />
white male and one white female. The ages <strong>of</strong> these individuals ranged from 29 to 70 years, with an<br />
average age <strong>of</strong> 51 years. All individuals were experienced with heroin (either use or possession). Based on<br />
their history <strong>of</strong> drug use, these individuals were subject to periodic urine drug testing. These samples were<br />
screened for illicit drugs, including opiates, using reagents manufactured by Diagnostic Reagents, Inc. The<br />
screening cut<strong>of</strong>f level for opiates was 300 ng/ml. All samples screened negative for opiates. Due to their<br />
past experience with heroin, a special test for 6-AM was requested on each sample. All samples were<br />
positive for 6-AM with the concentrations ranging from 10 to 144 nglml. To investigate this apparent false<br />
negative immunoassay screen, all samples were analyzed for the presence <strong>of</strong> codeine, total morphine and<br />
heroin. All samples were negative for both codeine and heroin. All total morphine levels were less than 300<br />
nglml, which substantiated the negative immunoassay results. Total morphine levels ranged from 18 to 245<br />
nglmL These results suggest that the traditional approach for predicting heroin use based on total morphine<br />
levels need to be looked at more closely, as current practice may in fact underestimate instances <strong>of</strong> heroin<br />
use.<br />
Keywords: heroin, 6-acetylmorphine, morphine<br />
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