Opioid Use on the Rise Globally
The UN World Drug Report 2019 estimates that drug usage numbers have spiked up by 30 percent. From the infectious “zombie” drug Krokodil (a synthetic opioid) spreading to new shores, to the endless supply of ecstasy popping up, drugs and new ways to get high are rising across the world.
The report also estimated that drug use in India has gone up by 30 percent. This doesn’t only refer to occasional /” recreational” weed smoking, cocaine uses or ecstasy use. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has found that out of the 271 million drug users globally, at least 35 million have developed drug-related disorders.
Opioids are the drugs that present the largest cause for concern due to the impact on the health of users. Amongst the negative consequences of drug use, mental health disorders, HIV infection, hepatitis C and overdose are the main concerns, many of which can lead to death. Injecting drugs, mainly opioids, is deemed the most dangerous way of consuming drugs due to the spread of diseases through the sharing of needles. According to the report, 50 per cent of those who inject drugs live with hepatitis C.
Mortality rates overwhelmingly affect men who account for 72 per cent of those who die because of drug use. Sixty-eight per cent of overdose deaths in 2017 were due to opioids.
Randox Toxicology offer the most comprehensive drugs of abuse test menu across multiple forensic matrices including whole blood, urine and oral fluid. Our level of expertise in toxicology research and development allows us to adapt quickly to the ever-changing market influences and develop assays with optimum target compounds and excellent specificities for current and novel drug trends.
As the need for vital drug screening continues to increase, Randox Toxicology are leading the way in toxicology screening. Capable of detecting 21 classical, prescription and synthetic drugs from a single sample, our fully automated Evidence MultiSTAT analyser utilises our Biochip Array Technology to deliver reliable and accurate results in under 20 minutes.
To find out more about our Biochip Array Technology and our Evidence Series range of analysers, visit www.randoxtoxicology.com or email info@randoxtoxicology.com