Abuse of codeine separated from over-the-counter drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid and codeine

In Denmark a new trend concerning the abuse of codeine has been observed. Danish drug abusers have discovered that codeine is easily separated from certain drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid and codeine. When separated the codeine can be used either orally or intravenously. Three different drugs combining acetylsalicylic acid and codeine are available in Denmark, but codeine is only easily separable from one of these. Applying the same procedure to the two other drugs produces unpredictable or unfavourable ratios of codeine to acetylsalicylic acid. In several countries, however, similar drugs combining acetylsalicylic acid and codeine are available. It is not possible from a list of constituents to predict how easily codeine can be separated from a particular drug. Therefore it is strongly recommended that relevant drugs are tested at local forensic laboratories. In case codeine is found to be very easily separated from a product appropriate action should be taken.