Faking it: the use of imitation drugs in research interviews

ABSTRACT

This paper documents the identification and selection of substances to mimic illicit drugs for a sequence of interviews used to document the preparation methods of PWID. In a sequence of interviews, PWID were asked to demonstrate the preparation of their drug of choice. The preparation of drugs including heroin, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, ‘homebake’ morphine and various oral preparations (including morphine tablets and capsules, methylphenidate tablets and capsules) were documented. In place of the drug, inert ‘fake’ drugs were used to ensure safety and security. To ensure the robustness of the research the fake drug material needed to have a similar appearance and physical properties to the real drug. This paper presents the range of materials used in order to aid other researchers who may have a need to mimic illicit drugs.

KEYWORDS:

• Drug
• substitute
• fake
• interviews
• injection

Additional information

Funding

These drugs were required for research work kindly funded by: (New Zealand) The School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, and New Zealand Needle Exchange Services Trust; (UK) The Royal Pharmaceutical Society.