Surveillance Related Laboratory Testing of Controlled Substance Overdose Cases

The abuse of controlled substances is a major crisis facing American society, contributing to 64,000 deaths in 2016 (US Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Agency [DOJ DEA], 2018). To put this number into perspective, this is greater than the number of deaths from other non-natural causes annually, including deaths due to motor vehicle accidents, firearms, homicides, and suicides (DOJ DEA, 2018). In Michigan, 2,356 people died due to drug overdose in 2016 (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.).

The Analytical Chemistry Section (AC), Bureau of Laboratories (BOL) of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is developing analytical capability for a surveillance testing program of controlled substances from overdoses in the general population. The panel of controlled substances being targeted for analysis will include opioids (such as fentanyl and oxycontin), heroin, cocaine, and other substances as seen in overdose cases. The analysis will be developed to test body fluids, mainly blood including postmortem blood.

The AC laboratory is currently applying for controlled substance licenses through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Once the licenses are obtained, the AC will be working with partners from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on development of quality control materials to be used for surveillance testing. The laboratory will begin method validation and verification during the spring of 2019.

For more information on opioids in Michigan: Opioids and Prescription Drugs in Michigan

References:

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (n.d.). Prescription drugs and opioids in Michigan. Retrieved from https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71550_2941_4871_79584---,00.html

US Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Agency [DOJ DEA] (2016). DEA Issues carfentanil warning to police and public. Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2016/09/22/dea-issues-carfentanil-warning-police-and-public

US Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Agency [DOJ DEA]. (2018). 2018 national drug threat assessment (Report No. DEA-DCT-DIR-032-18). Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2018-11/DIR-032-18%202018%20NDTA%20final%20low%20resolution.pdf

About the Guardian

The Guardian of Public Health is a monthly newsletter from the Bureau of EMS, Trauma, and Preparedness (BETP) within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The Guardian aims to provide its readers with relevant content on topics that affect the public health of citizens and communities in Michigan. For questions or comments please contact Kerry Chamberlain at chamberlaink2@michigan.gov.

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This publication was supported by the Cooperative Agreement number, CDC-RFA TP12-1201, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.

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