Smartphones: A Novel Tool for Drug Use Surveillance
A groundbreaking study published in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine unveils an innovative and user-friendly method for collecting drug use data using the surface of smartphones. This research holds the potential to aid clinicians in identifying the drugs individuals consume in various contexts, thereby safeguarding public health and enhancing the treatment of patients at risk of overdosing.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the most prevalent drugs in specific areas, who uses them, when, and in what settings, can significantly inform life-saving treatment decisions. However, obtaining such data can be challenging due to the illicit nature of many recreational drugs.
Researchers traditionally employ indirect techniques, such as wastewater analysis or anonymous drug user surveys, coupled with toxicological measurements from blood or urine samples. However, these approaches can be inaccurate and overly intrusive for routine use.
Smartphones as Drug Use Indicators
Dr. Théo Willeman of Grenoble Alpes University Hospital and colleagues investigated whether smartphones, one of our most frequently handled objects, could offer a more practical approach to tracking drug use. Fingerprint residue on a phone’s surface contains sweat and sebum, which can reveal the presence of drugs, while the surface itself can retain traces of any drugs consumed directly from it.
The researchers invited drug users attending techno and trance music events in France to anonymously complete a questionnaire about their drug use. They then collected dry swabs from the surface of their smartphones. These swabs were subsequently analyzed using liquid chromatography to detect drugs.
Successful Drug Identification
A total of 122 swabs were gathered and analyzed, yielding successful identification of various drugs. The three most commonly detected were MDMA, cocaine, and THC. Additionally, the researchers identified ketamine, LSD, methamphetamine, CBD, heroin, and mescaline.
The findings affirm that smartphones can serve as a reliable, non-invasive means of assessing drug use.
Limitations and Future Research
The study acknowledges certain limitations. For instance, the stability of drug molecules on a smartphone surface remains unknown, potentially influencing results if substances degrade rapidly or gradually. Furthermore, the method is susceptible to contamination from multiple individuals handling the smartphone or environmental drug traces.
Notwithstanding these limitations, the study serves as a proof-of-concept, and future research aims to clarify these uncertainties and further validate the technique. Dr. Willeman emphasizes the significance of developing new tools for toxicology studies, particularly in the context of the ongoing opioid crisis. Identifying the substances consumed in a specific area can assist medical teams in managing potential intoxications.
This innovative smartphone-based method holds great promise for advancing our understanding of drug use patterns and informing public health initiatives to combat addiction and protect the well-being of individuals and communities.
