Top Compounds Detected Within Samples Collected in April 2024
Total number of samples tested: 521
1. Methamphetamine (46%)
2. Fentanyl (36%)
3. Xylazine (21%)
4. 4-ANPP (15%)
5. Cocaine (13%)
6. Acetaminophen (12%)
7. Caffeine (8%)
8. Heroin (6%)
9. Quinine (5%)
10. Lidocaine (5%)
Numbers in parentheses are percentages of samples containing the listed compound, excluding samples where no compounds were detected.
Samples analyzed and included in this count are voluntary samples collected and provided by public health and harm reduction agencies from across the country. The trends observed in these samples may not be representative of broader trends within the United States drug supply. All testing was qualitative in nature. Testing of salt form or determination of salt versus free base was not completed.
Recent Trends and New Compounds
Below are several graphs depicting trends from samples received over the past three or six months. In the top graph, drug class and select individual compound prevalence are presented. Note that in many instances there are multiple compounds identified in a single sample. Counts and percentages are preliminary and based on samples received by the date this newsletter is released. Data from prior months has also been updated with any additional samples received.
The center left graph presents co-detection of fentanyl and xylazine. Of the samples collected and analyzed in April 2024 where fentanyl and/or xylazine were detected, both compounds were found in 43% of samples. Xylazine without fentanyl was detected in 10% of samples. Fentanyl without xylazine was detected in 46% of samples. The number of samples where fentanyl was detected without xylazine was lower than the previous month.
The center right graph shows co-detection of fentanyl with amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine, and nitazenes over the last three months. Note that many of the samples tested are used syringes where co-use of compounds cannot be ruled out, possibly inflating these values.
The bottom graph is a breakdown of the types of paraphernalia that were sampled and analyzed in April 2024, when reported. Used syringes accounted for approximately 44% of all samples and 62% of samples where the paraphernalia type was known.
 In April 2024, four compounds were detected for the first time in RaDAR samples. Note that compounds discussed here are those that have been newly detected in RaDAR samples. This does not mean that it is the first identification of the compound in the illicit drug supply.
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N-desethyl Etonitazene, a synthetic opioid, was detected in a single East Coast sample that also contained fentanyl and xylazine. The sample was collected in March 2024 but was received after the reporting cutoff.
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Ethyl 4-ANPP, a compound that is structurally similar to 4-ANPP was detected in several East Coast samples that also contained fentanyl and xylazine. |
Tetracaine, a local anesthetic structurally similar to lidocaine, was detected in a number of East Coast samples that also contained fentanyl and xylazine. |
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N,N-Dimethylamphetamine, a potential impurity generated in the synthesis of methamphetamine, was found in a number of methamphetamine samples from the West Coast. |
RaDAR in the News
We Need Comprehensive Illicit Drug Analysis Now to Stop Overdose Deaths
"The devastating, drug overdose epidemic in the U.S. killed over 105,000 people last year, most from the synthetic opioid fentanyl. But while fentanyl has dominated the headlines, talk in public health circles has shifted to a new illicit drug on the street: xylazine..." Read More.
Recent Publications
Beyond Fentanyl Test Strips: Investigating Other Urine Drug Test Strips for Drug Checking Applications
Use of immunoassay test strips for the detection of fentanyl in drug samples has become increasingly commonplace in harm reduction, law enforcement, public health, customs, and forensic science settings. With the increase of xylazine in the drug supply in recent years, use of xylazine test strips has also begun to take root. As adoption and implementation of this tool continues, a desire to implement test strips for other drugs may emerge. However, since these strips are designed for urine testing, it is important to understand their applicability to testing drugs themselves. Read More.
An Analytical Platform for Near Real-Time Drug Landscape Monitoring Using Paraphernalia Residues
Deaths attributed to drug overdoses are constantly on the rise, but drug trends are frequently changing and often differ across geographical regions. Current analytical techniques are limited in their abilities to rapidly identify drugs that would inform both public health and law enforcement officials about the evolving drug landscape. Read More.
Rapid Analysis of Drugs: A Pilot Surveillance System To Detect Changes in the Illicit Drug Supply To Guide Timely Harm Reduction Responses — Eight Syringe Services Programs, MD, November 2021–August 2022
A record number of 2,912 drug overdose deaths occurred in Maryland during the 12-month period July 1, 2020–June 30, 2021. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, or both* were involved in 84% of these deaths.† Timely identification of illicit drug market changes (e.g., fentanyl rapidly replacing heroin) could improve the public health response, specifically communications about risks for novel psychoactive substances. Read More.
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