INTRODUCTION: Cannabis has consistently been the third most commonly abused drug among drug arrestees in Singapore over the past few years. Accordingly, this study aimed to understand the profile of cannabis users in Singapore and explore the effects of cannabis use on drug progression. METHODS: A total of 450 participants who had used cannabis at least once in their lifetime were recruited from the National Addictions Management Service, prisons, the Community Rehabilitation Centre and halfway houses from August 2017 to May 2018. A face-to-face questionnaire was administered and descriptive analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The mean participant age was 40.9 ± 14.51 years, and 93.1% of them were male. The participants generally initiated cannabis use during adolescence, at a mean onset age of 16.5 ± 4.46 years. Most (89.6%) were introduced to cannabis by peers. Approximately half of them (46.9%) had used cannabis before other illicit drugs and 42.1% of them had used heroin as the succeeding drug. CONCLUSION In Singapore, cannabis use is often initiated during adolescence, largely under peer influence. Cannabis users may progress to other illicit drugs, particularly heroin, later in life.
Adolescent ; Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Child ; Young Adult ; Female ; Cannabis ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Heroin ; Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology* ; Illicit Drugs

Objective: To understand and analyze the incidence of club drug abuse and influencing factors in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Qingdao, and provide reference for the AIDS prevention and intervention in this population. Methods: From March 2017 to July 31, 2022, MSM who did not abuse club drug were recruited by snowball sampling of MSM social organizations in Qingdao, a prospective cohort was established, and a follow-up survey was conducted every 6 months. The survey collected the information about the MSM's demographic characteristics, sexual characteristics, club drug abuse and others. The incidence of club drug abuse was the outcome dependent variable and the interval between the recruitment into the cohort and the incidence of club drug abuse was the time dependent variable. Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify the influencing factors for club drug abuse. Results: A total of 509 MSM were recruited at baseline survey, and 369 eligible MSM were enrolled in this cohort. A total of 62 MSM began to abuse club drug during the study period, and the cumulative follow-up time was 911.54 person-years, the incidence of club drug abuse was 6.80/100 person-years. All the club drug abusers shared drugs with others in the first club drug abuse, and 16.13% (10/62) had mix-use of club drugs. The multivariate Cox proportional risk regression analysis showed that being students (aHR=2.17, 95%CI: 1.15-4.10), receiving no HIV testing or receiving 1 HIV testing during past 6 months (aHR=4.57, 95%CI:1.80-11.60; aHR=5.15, 95%CI: 2.83-9.36), having sex only with regular sexual partners during past 6 months (aHR=4.75,95%CI:2.32-9.75), having more than 4 homosexual partners (aHR=1.70, 95%CI:1.01-2.87) and abuse of club drug of sexual partners during past 6 months (aHR=12.78, 95%CI:3.06-53.35) were significantly associated with club drug abuse in the MSM. Conclusions: The incidence of club drug abuse was at a high level in the MSM cohort in Qingdao, indicating a high risk for HIV infection. Being student, receiving less HIV testing, having sex only with regular sexual partners, having more homosexual partners and abuse of club drug of sexual partners during past 6 months were risk factors for the incidence of club drug abuse in the MSM. Targeted surveillance and intervention measures should be strengthened to reduce the risk of club drug abuse in MSM.
Male ; Humans ; Homosexuality, Male ; Cohort Studies ; Illicit Drugs ; Incidence ; HIV Infections ; Prospective Studies ; Sexual and Gender Minorities ; Substance-Related Disorders

In recent years, the types and quantities of fentanyl analogs have increased rapidly. It has become a hotspot in the illicit drug control field of how to quickly identify novel fentanyl analogs and to shorten the blank regulatory period. At present, the identification methods of fentanyl analogs that have been developed mostly rely on reference materials to target fentanyl analogs or their metabolites with known chemical structures, but these methods face challenges when analyzing new compounds with unknown structures. In recent years, emerging machine learning technology can quickly and automatically extract valuable features from massive data, which provides inspiration for the non-targeted screening of fentanyl analogs. For example, the wide application of instruments like Raman spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, high resolution mass spectrometry, and other instruments can maximize the mining of the characteristic data related to fentanyl analogs in samples. Combining this data with an appropriate machine learning model, researchers may create a variety of high-performance non-targeted fentanyl identification methods. This paper reviews the recent research on the application of machine learning assisted non-targeted screening strategy for the identification of fentanyl analogs, and looks forward to the future development trend in this field.
Fentanyl ; Substance Abuse Detection/methods* ; Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Illicit Drugs/analysis*

OBJECTIVES: To establish the GC-MS qualitative and quantitative analysis methods for the synthetic cannabinoids, its main matrix and additives in suspicious electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) oil samples. METHODS: The e-cigarette oil samples were analyzed by GC-MS after diluted with methanol. Synthetic cannabinoids, its main matrix and additives in e-cigarette oil samples were qualitatively analyzed by the characteristic fragment ions and retention time. The synthetic cannabinoids were quantitatively analyzed by using the selective ion monitoring mode. RESULTS: The linear range of each compound in GC-MS quantitative method was 0.025-1 mg/mL, the matrix recovery rate was 94%-103%, the intra-day precision relative standard deviations (RSD) was less than 2.5%, and inter-day precision RSD was less than 4.0%. Five indoles or indazole amide synthetic cannabinoids were detected in 25 e-cigarette samples. The main matrixes of e-cigarette samples were propylene glycol and glycerol. Additives such as N,2,3-trimethyl-2-isopropyl butanamide (WS-23), glycerol triacetate and nicotine were detected in some samples. The content range of synthetic cannabinoids in 25 e-cigarette samples was 0.05%-2.74%. CONCLUSIONS The GC-MS method for synthesizing cannabinoid, matrix and additive in e-cigarette oil samples has good selectivity, high resolution, low detection limit, and can be used for simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of multiple components; The explored fragment ion fragmentation mechanism of the electron bombardment ion source of indole or indoxamide compounds helps to identify such substances or other compounds with similar structures in cases.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems ; Illicit Drugs/analysis* ; Indazoles/chemistry* ; Glycerol/analysis* ; Cannabinoids ; Indoles/chemistry* ; Ions

INTRODUCTION: Misuse of prescription medicines and the harms associated with such use are growing threats across the world. There is currently, however, limited data on the extent of prescription medicine misuse in Singapore and whether this is a current threat in the country. METHODS: An online survey, limited to 1,000 individuals (aged 21 years and over) who were residents in Singapore, was administered through a survey panel company in September 2015. The survey collected information on participant demographics, and their awareness, self-reported lifetime and past-year misuse of commonly available prescription medicines in Singapore as well as the use of a range of recreational drugs and novel psychoactive substances (NPS). RESULTS: Lifetime (6.7%) and past-year (4.8%) misuse of any prescription medicine was comparable to lifetime (6.0%) and past-year (3.0%) use of any recreational drugs/NPS. The top five prescription medicines for lifetime misuse were: diazepam (2.7%); codeine (2.3%); dhasedyl (promethazine, codeine and ephedrine; 1.6%); panadeine (paracetamol and codeine; 1.5%); and methylphenidate (1.2%). The top five drugs for past-year misuse were: diazepam (1.6%); codeine (0.9%); panadeine (0.7%); alprazolam (0.6%); baclofen (0.6%); and gabapentin (0.6%). CONCLUSION Misuse of prescription medicine in Singapore was common, with prevalence comparable to the use of recreational drugs/NPS. A common source for misused drugs was physicians. Further studies are required to determine whether this is more widespread in Singapore and establish the different forms of drug diversion, so that appropriate prevention strategies can be implemented.
Humans ; Illicit Drugs/adverse effects* ; Public Health ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Substance-Related Disorders/drug therapy* ; Prescription Drugs/adverse effects* ; Codeine ; Diazepam ; Prescriptions

Objective: To explore the correlation between club drug use and anal canal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in HIV-negative and HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Taizhou. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Taizhou. HIV-negative MSM were recruited by convenient sampling in voluntary counseling and testing clinics of Taizhou prefectural CDC from August 2016 to October 2017, and HIV-positive MSM were recruited through the routine follow-up and management by Taizhou prefectural CDC from August 2016 to June 2019. A face-to-face questionnaire interview was conducted to collect the information about the socio-demographic characteristics, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, club drug use and other information of the participants. Anal canal swabs were collected for HPV genotyping. The correlation between club drug use and the prevalence of HPV infection were evaluated with χ² test and logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 69 HIV-negative and 345 HIV-infected MSM were included. The prevalence of any type of anal canal HPV infection in HIV-negative MSM (27.5%, 19/69) was lower than that in HIV-positive MSM (66.4%, 229/345) (χ²=36.114,P<0.001). The prevalence of self-reported club drug use in HIV-negative MSM was higher (17.4%, 12/69) than that in HIV-positive MSM (7.0%, 24/345) (χ²=7.886, P=0.005). For HIV-negative MSM, the prevalence of club drug use was higher in MSM who had homosexual group sex (P=0.036); the prevalence of HPV infection was 50.0% (6/12) in club drug users and 22.8% (13/57) in non-club drug users (χ²=3.674, P=0.055). For HIV-positive MSM, the prevalence of HPV infection was 70.8% (17/24) in club drug users and 66.0% (212/321) in non-club drug users (χ²=0.230, P=0.632). Multivariable logistic regression model showed that HPV infection in MSM was positively correlated with HIV infection (OR=5.42, 95%CI: 2.92-10.06), and the association between HPV infection and club drug use (OR=1.66, 95%CI: 0.75-3.71) was not significant. Conclusions: HIV infection was positively correlated with anal canal HPV infection in MSM in Taizhou. Club drug use was positively correlated with high-risk sexual behaviors, while its association with HPV infection needs further study.
Anal Canal ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; HIV Infections ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Illicit Drugs ; Male ; Papillomaviridae ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Risk Factors ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual and Gender Minorities

OBJECTIVES: To establish a combined high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method to detect the synthetic cannabinoid CUMYL-PEGACLONE in e-cigarette oil and hair. METHODS: HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS were used to establish the detection method of CUMYL-PEGACLONE, and the hair of drug-involved persons and the seized e-cigarette oil were detected. RESULTS: The main mass spectrometry characteristic ions m/z of CUMYL-PEGACLONE measured by GC-MS were 91, 179, 197, 254 and 372. CUMYL-PEGACLONE had a good linear relationship in the mass concentration range of 2-50 ng/mL, and the linear correlation coefficient (r) was greater than 0.99. The limit of detection (LOD) of CUMYL-PEGACLONE in hair was 0.01 ng/mg, and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 0.02 ng/mg. The LOD of CUMYL-PEGACLONE in e-cigarette oil was 1 ng/mg, and the LOQ was 2 ng/mg. The average recoveries of CUMYL-PEGACLONE under the attempt at high, intermediate and low levels in blank human hair and e-cigarette oil matrix were 98.2%-132.4% and 93.5%-110.6%, and the intraday and intraday precision were 1.2%-12.9% and 0.7%-2.9%. CUMYL-PEGACLONE was detected in the hair of 15 drug-involved persons. Except for 1 person who was lower than LOQ, the concentration of CUMYL-PEGACLONE in the hair of other 14 persons was 0.035-0.563 ng/mg. The mass fraction of CUMYL-PEGACLONE in 2 e-cigarette oil were 0.17% and 0.21%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The established HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS methods are applied to the detection of HPLC-MS/MS in drug-related cases, which provides strong evidence support for the handling authority to quickly investigate these cases, and also provides a reference for the identification of such substances in future.
Humans ; Illicit Drugs/analysis* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems ; Cannabinoids ; Hair/chemistry* ; Limit of Detection ; Substance Abuse Detection/methods*

Drug problem is a major social and public security problem in the world. Drug abuse poses a great threat to economic development, social stability and public health. In recent years, synthetic drugs represented by methamphetamine have surpassed traditional drugs such as morphine, heroin, ketamine and become one of the most abused drugs in the world. In order to solve the problem of drug abuse, it is of great theoretical value and practical significance to carry out all-round and multi-level scientific research on drug-related issues. Based on the current situation of drug abuse, this article reviews research progresses on the epidemiology of methamphetamine abuse, the monitoring technology, the basic researches on toxicity damage, the withdrawal drug screening, the related clinical comorbidity and the testing technologies, comprehensively presenting the development trend of methamphetamine abuse related issues.
Amphetamine-Related Disorders/epidemiology* ; Heroin ; Humans ; Illicit Drugs ; Methamphetamine/adverse effects* ; Substance Abuse Detection

Abuse of pharmaceutical drugs is a major public health and social problem worldwide. Mostly abused drugs mainly include opioids such as morphine, tramadol, methadone and fentanyl, sedative-hypnotics such as benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines, and central stimulants such as Ritalin (methylphenidate), Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) and modafinil. Abuse of pharmaceutical drugs not only causes direct damage to multiple systems of the body, but also significantly increases risks of mental and physical diseases, imposing a heavy burden on individuals, families and society. Therefore, the prevention and control of pharmaceutical drug abuse are of vital importance. The Chinese government has taken strict administration measures for pharmaceutical drugs with abuse risk. However, confronting endless new drugs and changing abuse trends, it is necessary to further strengthen management and prevention of pharmaceutical drugs, monitor the trend of abuse, establish rapid response mechanisms, popularize relevant knowledge, and develop specific therapeutic drugs and intervention means, in order to promote prevention and treatment of pharmaceutical drug abuse.
Analgesics, Opioid/adverse effects* ; Central Nervous System Stimulants/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Illicit Drugs/adverse effects* ; Substance-Related Disorders/prevention & control*

In recent years, as the third-generation of drugs, new psychoactive substances （NPS） have expanded rapidly and become a serious concern for China's anti-drug prevention and control system. As a new drug monitoring technology in the current anti-drug field, wastewater analysis is an objective, real-time, accurate, convenient and effective drug monitoring method. In recent years, it has gradually been applied to the monitoring of NPS. This study summarizes wastewater sample collection, target stability research, wastewater sample pretreatment, wastewater sample analysis methods, target NPS consumption calculations and actual monitoring applications, with a view to the construction of a monitoring system for NPS in wastewater, real-time and accurate grasp of information on the use of NPS in cities, the reflection of the actual consumption of different types of NPS and consumption trends in a short period of time, and prediction of the development trend of abused use, which is of great significance for combating NPS crimes, serving and guaranteeing the personal safety of the people, and maintaining social stability.
China ; Cities ; Illicit Drugs/analysis* ; Psychotropic Drugs/analysis* ; Wastewater/analysis* ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*