S. Asnafi-farhang et al., Prevalence of cannabis and tobacco use in patients attending a Methadone Center. Evaluation by urinary biomarkers, ANN MED IN, 152, 2001, pp. S37-S42
Aim of the study. - The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence o
f cannabis and tobacco use in a population attending a Methadone Center.
Methods. - We studied 49 patients over a 3-month period. Urine samples were
obtained at three different times from each patient for analysis. We measu
red urinary cannabinoids using an immunopolarization assay to identify cann
abinoid use. Cotinine concentrations were quantified in urine using a color
imetric assay to assess total urinary nicotine metabolites.
Results. - The prevalence of cannabis use was high in this population. Urin
ary cannabinoids were present in 63% of the samples. Similarly 90% had high
-urinary cotinine concentrations,
Conclusion. - Measurement of urinary biomarkers showed that tobacco and can
nabis use was high among patients attending a Methadone Center.