Spreading of use of ethyl alcohol, narcotics, psychotropic materials and testing of soldiers in Lithuanian Army

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Abstracts / Forensic Science International 169S (2007) S29–S35

Zita Minkuviene, Alvydas Pauliukevicius

Ru¯ta Damijonaitiene˙, Robertas Obrikis 1,*, Darius Jankauskas 2

Institute of Forensic Medicine, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania

1

Following the data of the State Mental Health Center during the period 2000–2005 the number of persons sick with dependence on narcotic-psychotropic substance abuse in Lithuania has increased by over 1.5 times—from 3521 up to 5371 persons. These statistic data do not correspond to the actual number of consumers, which is supposed to be from 7 up to 10 times bigger. There are no objective data on the prevalence of various psychoactive substances, which makes the evaluation of the actual drug addiction level in Lithuania impossible. During the years 2002–2006 the Toxicology laboratory of the Institute of Forensic Medicine has performed the investigation of 9224 biological samples taken from 8894 living persons. The different single psychoactive substances or their combinations of two, three or more have been determined 10,973 times in samples taken from 6657 persons. The following prevalence of the determined narcotic–psychotropic substances has been observed: opiates—75.8%, diphenhydramine—31.1%, psycho stimulators (most frequently of the amphetamine group)—19.8%, benzodiazepines—14.4%, ethanol—13.2%, cannabinoids—9.0%. The comparison of the actual investigation data with the data from previous decade (1991–2002) has revealed a significant tendency of an increase in the number of cannabis products abusers, from 1.1% up to 9.0%. At the same time there is an increase of the number of addicts in whom psycho stimulators as well as diphenhydramine have been determined, correspondingly—from 6.6% up to 19.8% and from 19.2% up to 31.1%. During the years 2002–2006 the number of persons abusing one substance was determined in 53.6%, two in 32.3%, three, four and more in 14.12% of cases. The most frequently determined combinations included the following substances: opiates– diphenhydramine, opiates–benzodiazepines, ethyl alcohol with narcotic–psychotropic substances of various groups and other. The laboratory investigation data showed that the multiple drug addiction became a typical feature of nowadays drug addiction. It may be a chaotic – depending upon possibilities to acquire them – or deliberate consumption, aiming to reach a certain pharmacological effect. In 2002–2006 the number of persons at the same time consuming psycho suppressing and psycho stimulating narcotic substances (opiates–amphetamines) was increasing. It is difficult to prognosticate the consequences of consumption of substances having opposite pharmacological effect. Keywords: Narcotic and psychotropic substances; Psychoactive substances; Combinations; Biological samples DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.04.076 TOX-FP-10 Spreading of use of ethyl alcohol, narcotics, psychotropic materials and testing of soldiers in Lithuanian Army

Institute of Forensic Medicine, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania; 2 Lithuanian Military medicine service, Siauliai, Lithuania Introduction: Economics, social sphere, as well as people lives change rapidly in Lithuania. Smoking, use of alcohol became a public habit already. However, there is even more dangerous problem—use of narcotics. The young people are under the biggest risk. Young people are not afraid to risk and due to their curiosity youth starts to try and later—to use narcotics. Majority of serving in Lithuanian army is young people and they are close to the social problems. Soldiers, who use narcotics, alcohol could be dangerous to themselves, other people’s lives and safety of state. Purpose of examination: To ascertain if soldiers, serving at Lithuanian army, have any possibility to abuse of ethyl alcohol, narcotic and psychoactive materials. Also to make periodic testing of soldiers according to picked groups and to evaluate spreading of above mentioned materials and information about their use. Testing material, research methods: Referring on determined order, samples of urine, blood, saliva and finger washes (nuoplovos) have been taken from soldiers. Using methods of gas chromatographic, imunofermentic and thin-layer chromatographic ethyl alcohol and psychoactive–narcotic materials have been determined. Results: Five hundred and fifty biological samples was analysed in 2003–2006 in order to determine ethyl alcohol and psychotropic materials (421 samples of urine, 127 samples of blood and 2 samples of fingers washes). One hundred and forty nine cases of use of ethyl alcohol, medicines and narcotic materials have been found. It makes up 27.09% of all tested soldiers. Using methods of toxicological analysis, it was determined that 134 soldiers used ethyl alcohol only, 5 soldiers—ethyl alcohol and heroin, 2 soldiers— amphetamine derivatives, 2 soldiers—THC and 6 soldiers— medicines. Four hundred and twenty two respondents filled in questionnaires in 2005. It makes up 11% of all soldiers of ICMS serving in Lithuanian army. Conclusions: After permanent laboratory diagnostic of soldiers serving in army the following results appeared: there was a single case of use of narcotic materials (1.64%) and medicines (1.09%). The most popular ways of intoxication among soldiers—use of alcohol (24.36%). The majority cases of use of psychoactive substances have been determined using objective tests for these soldiers, who had any symptoms of intoxication (symptomatic research group). The results of questionnaire are the following: 99.05% of soldiers use alcoholic drinks; 74.64% of respondents smoke daily. DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.04.077