Swab tests - can they distinguish between MDXX and amphetamines?

[AlexxRed]

Hi all,

I have try to find this answer through out all the threads, but it seems there some confusion as to what they can actually detect with the roadside swab.

The company that makes the swap says that can detect methamphetamine, amphetamines and then in brackets 'ecstasy'

Can they actually distinguish between the three with the swab alone? Or is just the case that as MDMA is an amphetamine that it would return a positive test which would then require further investigation to determine the exact substance.

Cheers

Alex

 

[Splatt]

Its possible yes.

 

[phase_dancer]

Or is just the case that as MDMA is an amphetamine that it would return a positive test which would then require further investigation to determine the exact substance.

The swab tests employ immunoassay techniques which basically involves having an artifical or natural antibody that mimics the bodys natural immune response. As such, any drugs that are targeted by the same antibody will produce a positive and indistinguishable result.

Drugwipe (system used in Aus Roadside testing) can at present detect both amphetamines and methamphetamines including MDMA, but as the same antibody is used, these cannot be further distinguished using this sytem. More sophisticated forms of lab analysis can however.

DrugWipe II single test

DrugWipe®II single test for rapid detection of one drug in body fluids (sweat, saliva) and on surfaces. DrugWipe®II - single rapid drug tests are available for
o Opiates
o Cocaine
o Amphetamines/Methamphetamines (Ecstasy)
o Cannabis
o Benzodiazepines


Additional tests are being developed

Usage
DrugWipe®II was designed to detect invisible (nanogramme) residues of drugs.

The test is very easy to handle.

Application
o Customs and drug enforcement
o Traffic police
o Prisons
o Workplace
And many more

High detection reliability
Highest sensitivity due to highly specific antibodies.

Test duration
Approx. 3-10 minutes

Low detection limit
20 - 300 Nanogramm/ml (saliva, sweat)
2 - 50 Nanogramm/cm² (surfaces)


Notice:
DrugWipes® are highly accurate screening tests and are designed for direct use during investigations and controls in order to detect possible illegal drugs or to confirm initial suspicions. Final identification of suspicious substances will require laboratory analysis.

From Securetec

[Colour added for emphasis; p_d]

 

[geoscientist]

Mdxx compounds ARE amphetamines

 

[AlexxRed]

Mdxx compounds ARE amphetamines

This is exactly what I am getting at. Therefore and please correct me if I am wrong the roadside swap test kits themselves cannot distinguish between meth, amphetamine or MDMA?

Subsequent testing would be required to determine which exact substance returned the positive result?

 

[TheYellowDart]

This is exactly what I am getting at. Therefore and please correct me if I am wrong the roadside swap test kits themselves cannot distinguish between meth, amphetamine or MDMA?

Subsequent testing would be required to determine which exact substance returned the positive result?

That's correct, which is why after a positive result on the swab test is obtained you will be escorted to a vehicle where a blood sample will be taken for a lab analysis.

 

[ayjay]

the roadside swab test in Victoria will show positive for methamphetamine and MDMA. It will not show positive for amphetamine. So I guess that means the test can distinguish between primary and secondary amines...

 

[phase_dancer]

^ you sure about that ayjay?

I have a Drugwipe swab here - the same as used by Vic police. It says amphetamines on the packet. There is no seperate test listed on the website. From what I can gather from looking into these products I believe it will not only pick up amp, meth and MDMA, but probably also some of the phenethylamines.

 

[ayjay]

^ you sure about that ayjay?

I have a Drugwipe swab here - the same as used by Vic police. It says amphetamines on the packet. There is no seperate test listed on the website. From what I can gather from looking into these products I believe it will not only pick up amp, meth and MDMA, but probably also some of the phenethylamines.

I was at a presentation by Victoria Police and VicRoads during the roll-out of testing in Victoria. This matter was raised - the unequivocal answer was that (dex)amphetamine would not show up - only methamphetamine and MDMA. Of course these guys were bureaucrats, not chemists, so they might have been wrong... But they were quite clear that the whole process was designed to minimise risk - this kind of random testing is a bit of a world first, raising serious questions about civil liberties and privacy. Avoiding the possibility of people taking legitimately prescribed medications at levels unlikely to impair driving being caught up in random testing was a deliberate strategy for the implementation of random drug testing - to avoid negative publicity and a public backlash.

So am I sure dexies won't show up on a roadside swab? Pretty sure - but I'm prepared to be proven wrong.

 

[phase_dancer]

I think it must have been a deliberate strategy as you put it ayjay. I'd be rather surprised if a test labeled 'amphetamines' didn't pick up dex, which after all is simply the dextrorotatory isomer of amphetamine. I have some 'experts' contact details I can pass on if you would like to take this further.

 

[juice_soldier]

I'd say if they picked up amphetamines the first thing they should say is "do you have a prescription"... because without one - then it's very much illegal and you should be arrested - at least thats the right way.

Perhaps someone should scope out how the system works. But if it picks up amphetamines, dex would not be immune from that - unless of course you could provide proof of prescription

 

[Prince Planet]

I was at a presentation by Victoria Police and VicRoads during the roll-out of testing in Victoria. This matter was raised - the unequivocal answer was that (dex)amphetamine would not show up - only methamphetamine and MDMA. .

I attended a Roadside Saliva Testing seminar in NSW, regarding DrugSwipes and the drugs expert - a professor of pharmacology said that they only test positive for methamphetamines and negative for (dex)amphetamines. I'm not sure how reliable his "expertise" was regarding this matter.

 

[phase_dancer]

a professor of pharmacology said that they only test positive for methamphetamines and negative for (dex)amphetamines

Well, that should be a good enough reference.

Was that in relation to Drugwipe, the test I mentioned above? It could very well be that other, more selective tests are now being employed. However, if that's the case, then all of the active amphetamines inlcuding MDA and others won't register either.

 

[Prince Planet]

Well, that should be a good enough reference.

Was that in relation to Drugwipe, the test I mentioned above? It could very well be that other, more selective tests are now being employed. However, if that's the case, then all of the active amphetamines inlcuding MDA and others won't register either.

It was regarding the NSW Drugwipes, I assume they're the same ones and the pharmacologist was Assoc. Prof. Michael Dawson, not sure about his credibility though. He seemed to know what he was talking about but then again I didn't go past year 10 chemistry so he could have said anything.