[High-risk drug use: epidemiological pattern through hair testing in the forensic context]

Area of Science:

• Forensic Toxicology
• Epidemiology
• Drug Abuse Research

Background:

• Traditional drug use surveys have limitations in accuracy and detecting low-prevalence behaviors.
• Hair drug testing offers an alternative method for assessing drug use patterns, particularly in forensic contexts.
• Understanding drug use epidemiology is crucial for public health and judicial investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the epidemiological pattern of drug use in a population undergoing judicial hair drug testing.
• To provide an additional data source for understanding high-risk drug use.
• To analyze trends and demographic associations in drug use.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study analyzed hair samples from 5,292 individuals in a forensic setting.
• Prevalence of various drugs including cannabis, cocaine, heroin, MDMA, and amphetamines was determined.
• Statistical analyses (Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H) were used to assess associations with demographics and trends over time.

Main Results:

• Cannabis (54%) and cocaine (49%) were the most prevalent drugs.
• Prevalence of heroin, methadone, MDMA, and amphetamine use ranged from 10% to 18%.
• Significant increases in MDMA, heroin, and amphetamine use were observed from 2013-2015, while methadone use decreased. Drug use varied significantly by sex and age.

Conclusions:

• Cannabis and cocaine are the most common drugs in this judicial hair testing population.
• Increasing trends in heroin, MDMA, and amphetamine use highlight evolving drug abuse patterns.
• Drug use patterns are significantly influenced by demographic factors such as age and sex.