Drug
use histories were collected from 100 subjects recruited from the “dance
scene” in and around Glasgow, Scotland. In addition, each subject donated a
hair sample which was analyzed by gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS)
for amphetamine (AP), methamphetamine (MA), 3,4-methylenedioxzyamphetamine
(MDA), 3,4-methylenediozymethamphetamine (MDMA) and
3,4-methylenediozyethylamphetamine (MDEA).
The
hair samples were analyzed in two 6 cm segments or in full, ranging from 1.5 to
12 cm depending on the length of hair. Approximately 10 mg of hair was ground to
a fine powder before treatment with ß-glucuronidase/aryl sulfatase. A
solid-phase extraction procedure was carried out followed by derivatization with
pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PEPA). All extracts were analyzed by gas
chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
Of
the 139 segments analyzed, 77 (52.5%) were positive for at least one of the five
amphetamines. The drug concentrations found in the hair were compared with the
self-reported drug histories. A concordance of greater than 50% was found
between the self-report data and levels detected in hair. However, no
correlation was found between the reported number of “ecstasy” tablets
consumed and the drug levels detected in hair.