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Urinary Excretion of Commonly Abused Drugs Following Unconventional Means of Administration

NCJ Number
123775
Journal
Forensic Science Review Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (December 1989) Pages: 122-138
Author(s)
E J Cone; M A Huestis
Date Published
1989
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This review of research on urine tests to detect drugs emphasizes that such tests can detect drugs to which a person has been exposed unintentionally or accidentally and which have not caused any noticeable effects.
Abstract
Unsuspected drug exposure can occur by unconventional methods such as passive inhalation by nonusers who are in the presence of users, oral ingestion of drugs placed in food, absorption through the skin, and prenatal exposure of the fetus. Thus, studies have reported positive urine tests from individuals who were exposed to drugs such as opiates in poppy seeds, cocaine in beverages, marijuana in brownies, cocaine found in human milk, the topical administration of cocaine for surgery, and marijuana smoke. These findings show the need for those involved in the interpretation of urine test data to be aware of the many possible ways that drugs can enter the human organism. They also underscore the particular risks that adults' drug use poses to infants and children. Figures, tables, and 70 references.

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