Forensic toxicology data from the State Laboratory (postmortem toxicology), the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS), and the HSE National Drug Treatment Centre (NDTC) Laboratory will be used for Study 2. The State Laboratory provides a forensic toxicology service to assist Coroners and the State Pathologist to investigate the causes of sudden death by analysing postmortem samples to confirm the presence or absence of ethanol, legal and illegal drugs and other toxic substances. Since 2013, all postmortem samples in the Ireland, requiring toxicology, have been submitted directly to the State Laboratory for both screening and confirmatory analysis. The Laboratory uses high-resolution liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) drug screening methods, with blood and urine samples screened for 167 different drugs. Anonymised individual-level data on all cases screening positive for one or more PDPM postmortem, will be used to evaluate trends in the detection rates of PDPM postmortem, both alone and in combination with other substances. Data will not be available on age and gender of the deceased.
The MBRS is a statutory body responsible for the chemical testing of intoxicants (alcohol and drugs) in drivers arrested under the Road Traffic Acts 1968–2016. The MBRS carry out routine drug testing on samples which are below a specified threshold for alcohol, or by request from the Gardaí (police). All drug driving analysis required under the Act, between 2010 and 2020, has been managed by the MBRS. Between 2010 and 2018, the laboratory used immunoassay for screening. Since 2018, screening analysis is conducted using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). Anonymised individual-level data, including age and gender, on all samples tested for drugs in the MBRS will be used to evaluate trends in the detection rates of PDPM among road users, both alone and in combination with other substances.
The HSE NDTC Laboratory is the largest specialist provider of urine drug screening for drug treatment services in Ireland. The NDTC Laboratory uses immunoassay screening methods for all patients attending the NDTC. Most people attend the NDTC for opioid agonist treatment (OAT) for opioid dependence. Clinical guidelines for OAT recommend at least one random drug test per month.17 (link) Anonymised individual-level drug screening data and age, will be used to evaluate trends in the detection rates of PDPM (at drug class level) among people attending the NDTC.Table 1 provides an overview of the drugs which are screened and/or confirmed across the three toxicology laboratories included in Study 2.
The MBRS is a statutory body responsible for the chemical testing of intoxicants (alcohol and drugs) in drivers arrested under the Road Traffic Acts 1968–2016. The MBRS carry out routine drug testing on samples which are below a specified threshold for alcohol, or by request from the Gardaí (police). All drug driving analysis required under the Act, between 2010 and 2020, has been managed by the MBRS. Between 2010 and 2018, the laboratory used immunoassay for screening. Since 2018, screening analysis is conducted using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). Anonymised individual-level data, including age and gender, on all samples tested for drugs in the MBRS will be used to evaluate trends in the detection rates of PDPM among road users, both alone and in combination with other substances.
The HSE NDTC Laboratory is the largest specialist provider of urine drug screening for drug treatment services in Ireland. The NDTC Laboratory uses immunoassay screening methods for all patients attending the NDTC. Most people attend the NDTC for opioid agonist treatment (OAT) for opioid dependence. Clinical guidelines for OAT recommend at least one random drug test per month.17 (link) Anonymised individual-level drug screening data and age, will be used to evaluate trends in the detection rates of PDPM (at drug class level) among people attending the NDTC.
