Analytical findings in used syringes from a syringe exchange program.

Background: Since it's first implementatation in 1984, Syringe Exchange Programs (SEP) are a critical component of harm reduction interventions among people who inject drugs.. The aim of this work was to use a scientific analytical approach to obtain drug use information through the analysis of the content of used syringes.

Methods: 357 syringes were collected in New York City and submitted to qualitative analysis. Screening analysis was performed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and confirmatory analysis by liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF).

Results: Of the 357 syringes analyzed, 275 (77.0%) were positive for one or more substances. The most common drug of abuse identified was heroin/related substances (72.0%), followed by cocaine/related substance (34.9%), fentanyl/related substance (13.5%), methamphetamine/related substance (7.6%) and furanylfentanyl (3.6%). Quinine/quinidine (18.5%) was the most common cutting agent detected, followed by levamisole (12.0%), caffeine (11.6%), lidocaine (11.6%), and phenacetin (6.9%).

Conclusion: Analysis of samples collected from a drug street scenario allows the identification of new substances being injected and provides information to harm reduction programs to identify strategies to reduce drug abuse.