Surveillance by oral fluid of drugs subject to misuse among individuals under arrest

ABSTRACT

Background: Between 1988 and 2013 the U.S. government conducted surveillance of national drug misuse use trends by collecting voluntary urine specimens from individuals under arrest in major counties. It was discontinued for financial reasons. The program was the only national survey that used a bioassay to measure drug use. Other national drug surveys continue to be based entirely on self-reports of drug use.

Objective: Given the current opioid and incipient methamphetamine epidemics, this study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of surveilling drugs subject to misuse among individuals under arrest using oral fluid collected anonymously by jail staff in one U.S. county. This method has never been previously employed with an offender population.

Methods: The subjects were adults arrested for any reason and booked in one Midwest county jail in the U.S. between July 2019 – January 2020 (N = 196; 145 males). Oral fluid specimens were provided for research purposes voluntarily and anonymously.

Results: 79% of individuals approached consented to participation. The most frequently detected drugs were cannabis (53%), methamphetamine (27%), cocaine (9%) and opioids (11%). Further, 74% tested positive for at least one drug; 36% tested positive for at least one illegal drug, 10% tested positive for at least one possibly illegal drug, and 54% tested positive for at least one legal drug (predominantly cannabis). (Tests for nicotine and ethanol were not included.)

Conclusion: The feasibility of collecting oral fluid from individuals under arrest in a jail setting to measure the prevalence of drugs subject to misuse was demonstrated.

KEYWORDS:

• oral fluid
• saliva
• offenders
• drug use
• drug testing

Acknowledgements

The cooperation of the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office in the conduct of this study is deeply appreciated, particularly Randy Hazel, Chief Deputy; Holly Thomas, Captain; Kevin Hirakis, Lieutenant; and all of the correctional sergeants and deputies. We also appreciate the support of the current Sheriff, Steven Hinkley, for publication of this study.

Disclosure of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

No sponsored funding.