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Drugs of abuse screening in the West Midlands: a 6 year retrospective survey of results.

Publication ,  Journal Article
George, S; Braithwaite, RA
Published in: Ann Clin Biochem
September 1994

We describe the results of urinary drugs of abuse screening performed by the West Midlands Regional Laboratory for Toxicology, Birmingham, UK, on more than 27,800 urine specimens received between January 1988 and December 1993. The number of specimens positive for amphetamine declined from 1988 to 1990, but this was followed by a doubling of specimens testing positive from 5.7% in 1990 to 12.0% in 1993. There is very little evidence of methamphetamine or Ecstasy abuse in the West Midlands. Morphine (assumed to be from heroin abuse) is the most common opiate detected, with 11.7% of all specimens received proving to be positive in 1993. The incidence of cocaine abuse is low, less than 5% when requests are based on clinical judgement, and less than 3% in the overall population monitored.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Ann Clin Biochem

DOI

ISSN

0004-5632

Publication Date

September 1994

Volume

31 ( Pt 5)

Start / End Page

473 / 478

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • United Kingdom
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Phenobarbital
  • Morphine
  • Methamphetamine
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Humans
  • General Clinical Medicine
 

Citation

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George, S., & Braithwaite, R. A. (1994). Drugs of abuse screening in the West Midlands: a 6 year retrospective survey of results. Ann Clin Biochem, 31 ( Pt 5), 473–478. https://doi.org/10.1177/000456329403100509
George, S., and R. A. Braithwaite. “Drugs of abuse screening in the West Midlands: a 6 year retrospective survey of results.Ann Clin Biochem 31 ( Pt 5) (September 1994): 473–78. https://doi.org/10.1177/000456329403100509.
George S, Braithwaite RA. Drugs of abuse screening in the West Midlands: a 6 year retrospective survey of results. Ann Clin Biochem. 1994 Sep;31 ( Pt 5):473–8.
George, S., and R. A. Braithwaite. “Drugs of abuse screening in the West Midlands: a 6 year retrospective survey of results.Ann Clin Biochem, vol. 31 ( Pt 5), Sept. 1994, pp. 473–78. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/000456329403100509.
George S, Braithwaite RA. Drugs of abuse screening in the West Midlands: a 6 year retrospective survey of results. Ann Clin Biochem. 1994 Sep;31 ( Pt 5):473–478.
Journal cover image

Published In

Ann Clin Biochem

DOI

ISSN

0004-5632

Publication Date

September 1994

Volume

31 ( Pt 5)

Start / End Page

473 / 478

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • United Kingdom
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Phenobarbital
  • Morphine
  • Methamphetamine
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Humans
  • General Clinical Medicine