title: Illegal use of benzodiazepines and/or zolpidem proved by hair analysis.
abstract: The abuse and misuse of benzodiazepines and zolpidem are widespread internationally. Their illegal distribution has raised their abuse to a serious level, and they are often misused in crimes. In the present study, 18 cases involving the illegal use of benzodiazepines and/or zolpidem were proved by hair analysis. The drugs were extracted from the hair samples using methanol and analyzed using LC-MS/MS. The cases were classified according to case history: five of illegal use in medical staff, eight through inappropriate or illegal distribution, and five related to drug-facilitated crimes. Among the 18 cases, zolpidem was identified in eight, alprazolam in seven, diazepam in six, and clonazepam in four. The drug concentrations ranged from <LOQ to 6.47 ng/mg. Due to the ready supply and potential for criminal misuse of these drugs, programs for prescription drug monitoring and supervision of those handling these drugs are both recommended.
authors.affiliation: National Forensic Service, 331-1 Sinwol-7-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, 158-707, Korea.
authors.forename: Jihyun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sanghwan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: In
authors.forename: Hwakyung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Sooyeun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000077334:Zolpidem
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011725:Pyridines; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077334:Zolpidem
keywords: benzodiazepines; drug analysis; forensic science; hair; illegal drug use; zolpidem