Detection of drug misuse - an addictive challenge.

It is now accepted that drug misuse is a large and growing problem in the U nited Kingdom, some estimates of the number of regular illicit drug users b eing as high as three million. The aim of this paper is to provide insight into the methods used to detect drug misuse. The strategy adopted by one la boratory is described and methods of screening for, and identification of, a wide range of compounds are provided. No claim is made that this is the b est approach or that the list of drugs detected is comprehensive; the range of drugs encountered is always increasing and the lists are constantly upd ated. It is hoped that users of toxicology laboratory services will gain an appreciation of the capabilities and limitations of the techniques availab le; and that those who may wish to provide such a service will find the nec essary information in a readily accessible format.