title: Analysis of residual content of used syringes collected from low threshold facilities in Lausanne, Switzerland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For the first time in Switzerland, an analysis of residual contents from used syringes collected from low threshold facilities was performed. This preliminary study is part of a wider project aiming to understand patterns of injecting drug use over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Among the 100,000 syringes exchanged annually by the ABS foundation (Accueil Bas Seuil), 113 were collected following a purposive sampling method and analysed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four syringes (4% of the sample population) contained no substances take into consideration the limit of the method. Cocaine was the most commonly observed compound and was detected in 77 syringes (68%), whilst users reported syringes with cocaine among those analysed in this study. Heroin was detected in 49 syringes (43%) and reported by 53 users returning syringes; midazolam was detected in 31 syringes (27%) and reported as the medicine Dormicum(®) in 22 occurrences. No new or unusual illicit drug was detected in the sample.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show the presence of cocaine in more than half of the sample, an absence of new or unusual illicit drugs, as well as very few traces of methadone, which suggests that this substitution drug is rarely injected. This preliminary study also demonstrates the potential of this developed methodology for monitoring purposes. An ongoing and more systematic approach could allow to detect modifications in drug use patterns among the target population as well as the appearance of new and hazardous substances. Such systematic and timely results could allow an adaptation of harm reduction interventions.
authors: Ecole des Sciences Criminelles, University of Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: elodie.lefrancois@unil.ch.
authors: Elodie
authors: E
authors: Lefrançois
authors: Ecole des Sciences Criminelles, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Esseiva
authors: Institut Universitaire de Médecine Sociale et Préventive, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Jean-Pierre
authors: JP
authors: Gervasoni
authors: Institut Universitaire de Médecine Sociale et Préventive, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Lucia
authors: Addiction Suisse, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Zobel
authors: Centre Universitaire de Médecine Légale, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Augsburger
mesh_terms: D003415:Crime; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000737:chemistry*; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland; D013594:Syringes
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs
keywords: GC–MS; Harm reduction; Illicit drugs; Injection drug users (IDUs); Low threshold facilities (LTFs); Needle exchange programs