'DIPSTICK' TEST FOR DETECTION OF 'DATE-RAPE' DRUG

A "dipstick" which could be used to detect if a drink has been spiked
with the "date-rape" drug rohypnol and a disposable strip to determine
if a casualty patient has taken ecstasy were just two of a number of
innovations discussed at a conference on drugs and science in Dublin
yesterday.

Groups from the Science and Technology against Drugs Initiative, set
up by the last Government, heard reports on a number of projects
applying science to drug prevention and social science to research
into the drug problem.

A team of UCD and TCD scientists reported on their detection device
for the sleeping tablet rohypnol, which has been linked to sexual assaults.

In a study of volunteers who had taken between one and three tablets,
very little drug was found in a urine sample using commercial
detection kits.

The UCD Diagnostics Group has developed a new test which can detect
very low levels of the drug in urine up to a week after it has been
taken.

"Possibilities now exist to develop a `dipstick' test for rapid
detection of the drug spiked into drinks," the group reported.

Two scientists from University College Cork, Prof George Guilbault and
Dr Ciara O'Sullivan, are looking at a rapid diagnosis system for
ecstasy poisoning. They hope to develop a pocket instrument using
disposable strips to detect ecstasy, which could be used by first-aid
teams, ambulance and casualty staff. The strips could be used to
detect traces of ecstasy in urine or saliva.

A separate study by two UCD scientists involves looking at the effects
of ecstasy combined with other drugs. "A major problem facing
scientists investigating the possible long-term effects is the fact
that many ecstasy tablets do not just contain MDMA."

The drug is frequently cut with caffeine, ketamine and amphetamine.
"Also, many of the people who take ecstasy are polydrug users, and may
combine ecstasy use with the use of hallucinogens, cannabis, smoking
and alcohol consumption."

Two groups of social science experts are involved in determining the
number of heroin users in Dublin. According to one study, by Dr Jo
Murphy-Lawless from TCD, there were 1,657 heroin users in the north
inner-city area of Dublin in 1997.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry