New 'party pill' test could help authorities keep up with trends in drug (ab)use
Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - 10:10
in Psychology & Sociology
A new test for club drugs like ketamine can detect low levels of drugs in urine and plasma, making it faster, easier and cheaper to identify them. The authors of the study say it could give authorities the boost they need to keep up with trends drug (ab)use. A new class of drugs known as “new psychoactive substances” has recently hit the clubs. Sold online or in smart shops as “legal highs,” these drugs pose a problem for authorities because they’re difficult to analyze and it’s tricky to keep up with the speed at which trafficking shifts to new products. There is currently no standard screening test for these drugs. One widely used club drug is ketamine – traditionally an animal tranquilizer – which causes users to hallucinate.