Detection And Identification Of Designer Drugs

Detection and Identification of Designer Drugs, the latest release in the Emerging Issues in Analytical Chemistry series, presents both an overview and a guide to techniques for anyone studying or engaging in designer drug analysis. Proliferation of the synthesis and use of designer drugs is a serious public health problem, with social, economic and legal implications. Whether abuse is studied at the population or individual level, researchers need both background and highly detailed technical information on specific drugs and drug classes in order to combat the proliferation and highly damaging consequences of these substances. Author Brian F. Thomas provides a comprehensive discussion that emphasizes the potential threat to society, presents the ongoing challenges confronting the various laboratory approaches to detection and identification of new chemical entities, and informs on the development of improved analytical solutions for use in legislation, law enforcement and treatment. Summarizes available literature and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of analytical methods for detecting and identifying designer drugs Offers authoritative information from author Brian F. Thomas, an expert with over 30 years of experience in the field Directs the reader to sources of further reading at the conclusion of each chapter Emphasizes the potential threat to society Presents ongoing challenges confronting various laboratory approaches to detection and identification of new chemical entities

There is a dramatic rise of novel drug use due to the increased popularity of so-called designer drugs. These synthetic drugs can be illegal in some countries, but legal in others and novel compounds unknown to drug chemistry emerge monthly. This thoughtfully constructed edited reference presents the main chromatographic methodologies and strategies used to discover and analyze novel designer drugs contained in diverse biological materials. The methods are based on molecular characteristics of the drugs belonging to each individual class of compounds, so it will be clear how the current methods are adaptable to future new drugs that appear in the market.

Critical Issues in Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse Testing, Second Edition, addresses the general principles and technological advances for measuring drugs and alcohol, along with the pitfalls of drugs of abuse testing. Many designer drugs, for example, are not routinely tested in drugs of abuse panels and may go undetected in a drug test. This updated edition is a must-have for clinical pathologists, toxicologists, clinicians, and medical review officers and regulators, bridging the gap between technical and clinical information. Topics of note include the monitoring of pain management drugs, bath salts, spices (synthetic marijuana), designer drugs and date rape drugs, and more. - Serves as a ready resource of information for alcohol and drug testing - Ideal resource for making decisions related to the monitoring and interpretation of results - Includes concise content for clinical laboratory scientists, toxicologists and clinicians

Alcohol, Drugs, Genes and the Clinical Laboratory provides an overview and quick reference to genetic relationships and clinical laboratory information related to the serious public health issue of alcohol and drug abuse. Written in a clear and concise manner, this book discusses the necessary information for health and safety professionals working in public health to learn about complex issues quickly to better help their patients, employees, and others affected by alcohol and drug abuse. Alcohol, Drugs, Genes and the Clinical Laboratory covers the important aspects of drugs and alcohol abuse including genetic aspects along with laboratory methods for analysis of alcohol and abused drugs with emphasis on false positive test results. The book is helpful to healthcare professionals, such as pathologists who oversee alcohol and drug testing, emergency room physicians, family practice physicians who are first healthcare professionals who identify patients susceptible to drug and alcohol abuse, and psychiatrists involved with drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. It will also be useful to safety professionals who have to assess individuals for workplace responsibilities, ranging from police and recruitment to occupational safety and occupational medicine and public health officials. - Features accessible language for healthcare and safety professionals who are not experts in laboratory procedures - Provides examples from clinical and everyday situations - Explains how to interpret laboratory results and the latest genetic factors regarding drug and alcohol abuse

Novel Psychoactive Substances: Classification, Pharmacology and Toxicology provides readers with background on the classification, detection, supply and availability of novel psychoactive substances, otherwise known as "legal highs." This book also covers individual classes of novel psychoactive substances that have recently emerged onto the recreational drug scene and provides an overview of the pharmacology of the substance followed by a discussion of the acute and chronic harm or toxicity associated with the substance. Written by international experts in the field, this multi-authored book is a valuable reference for scientists, clinicians, academics, and regulatory and law enforcement professionals. - Includes chapters written by international experts in the field. - Provides a comprehensive look at the classification, detection, availability and supply of novel psychoactive substances, in addition to the pharmacology and toxicology associated with the substance. - Offers a single source for all interested parties working in this area, including scientists, academics, clinicians, law enforcement and regulatory agencies. - Provides a full treatment of novel psychoactive substances that have recently emerged onto the recreational drug scene including mephedrone and the synthetic cannabinoid receptors in 'spice' / 'K2'.

A title in the Emerging Issues in Analytical Chemistry series, Designer Drugs: Chemistry, Analysis, Regulation, Toxicology, Epidemiology & Legislation of New Psychoactive Substances presents both an overview and a guide to techniques for designer drug analysis. Proliferation of the synthesis and use of designer drugs is a serious public health problem with social, economic, and legal implications. Whether abuse is studied at the population level or the individual level, researchers need both background and highly detailed technical information on specific drugs and drug classes in order to combat the proliferation and highly damaging consequences of these substances. Author Roy Gerona provides a comprehensive discussion that emphasizes the potential threat to society, presents the ongoing challenges confronting the various laboratory approaches to detection and identification of new chemical entities, and informs the development of improved analytical solutions for use in legislation, law enforcement, and treatment. Designer Drugs: Chemistry, Analysis, Regulation, Toxicology, Epidemiology & Legislation of New Psychoactive Substances offers an introduction to the field and a source of information on specific drugs, drug effects, and analytical tools to a wide audience for anyone studying or engaging in designer drug analysis. Analytical and medical chemists, pharmacologist, toxicologists, and students, researchers, and policy makers in the fields of drug abuse, medicine, public health, and forensics will greatly benefit from this essential text. - Summarizes available literature and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of analytical methods for detecting and identifying designer drugs - Directs the reader to sources of further reading at the conclusion of each chapter - Emphasizes the potential threat to society - Presents ongoing challenges confronting various laboratory approaches to detection and identification of new chemical entities

Improving and Accelerating Therapeutic Development for Nervous System Disorders is the summary of a workshop convened by the IOM Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders to examine opportunities to accelerate early phases of drug development for nervous system drug discovery. Workshop participants discussed challenges in neuroscience research for enabling faster entry of potential treatments into first-in-human trials, explored how new and emerging tools and technologies may improve the efficiency of research, and considered mechanisms to facilitate a more effective and efficient development pipeline. There are several challenges to the current drug development pipeline for nervous system disorders. The fundamental etiology and pathophysiology of many nervous system disorders are unknown and the brain is inaccessible to study, making it difficult to develop accurate models. Patient heterogeneity is high, disease pathology can occur years to decades before becoming clinically apparent, and diagnostic and treatment biomarkers are lacking. In addition, the lack of validated targets, limitations related to the predictive validity of animal models - the extent to which the model predicts clinical efficacy - and regulatory barriers can also impede translation and drug development for nervous system disorders. Improving and Accelerating Therapeutic Development for Nervous System Disorders identifies avenues for moving directly from cellular models to human trials, minimizing the need for animal models to test efficacy, and discusses the potential benefits and risks of such an approach. This report is a timely discussion of opportunities to improve early drug development with a focus toward preclinical trials.