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Trends in toxicological findings and drug seizures of MDMA in New Zealand from 2010 to 2022.

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Τίτλος: Trends in toxicological findings and drug seizures of MDMA in New Zealand from 2010 to 2022.
Συγγραφείς: Sheehan TJ; PHF Science, Porirua, New Zealand., Hamnett HJ; Department of Chemistry, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK., Russell SGG; PHF Science, Porirua, New Zealand., Kappatos D; PHF Science, Porirua, New Zealand., Poulsen H; PHF Science, Porirua, New Zealand.
Πηγή: Journal of forensic sciences [J Forensic Sci] 2026 May; Vol. 71 (3), pp. 1338-1350. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Feb 12.
Τύπος έκδοσης: Journal Article
Γλώσσα: English
Στοιχεία περιοδικού: Publisher: Blackwell Pub Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0375370 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1556-4029 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00221198 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Forensic Sci Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Publication: 2006- : Malden, MA : Blackwell Pub.
Original Publication: [Chicago, Ill.] : Callaghan and Co., 1956-
Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine*/blood , N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine*/adverse effects , N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine*/analysis , Hallucinogens*/blood , Driving Under the Influence*/statistics & numerical data, New Zealand/epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Adolescent ; Forensic Toxicology ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; Substance Abuse Detection
Περίληψη: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or "ecstasy," is a commonly used drug worldwide, including in New Zealand, where 4.8% of the population aged 15 years or over reported using it in a 2023/2024 survey. This study provides additional insights on MDMA prevalence data in New Zealand by reporting toxicology data from Coronial and driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) cases positive for MDMA between 2010 and 2022. Presented alongside are data from MDMA drug seizures (tablets, powders/crystals, and capsules) submitted by NZ Police or Customs during the same period. Of the 131 MDMA-positive Coronial cases, 73 were quantified in peripheral postmortem blood (mean: 0.88 mg/L, range: 0.01-9.30 mg/L). Of the 193 DUID cases positive for MDMA, 186 were quantified in blood (mean: 0.23 mg/L, range: 0.01-7.30 mg/L). MDA was also quantified in peripheral blood in 33 Coronial cases (mean: 0.06 mg/L, range: 0.01-0.20 mg/L) and 79 DUID cases (mean: 0.03 mg/L, range: 0.01-0.21 mg/L). In both types of MDMA-positive cases, 85% or more were positive for other drugs and/or alcohol, with the most commonly co-used substances being cannabis and alcohol. The demographics of MDMA users were comparable to those reported in previous studies. The prevalence of MDMA in drivers (1.8%) is similar to that reported in previous studies. There were 138 drug seizures with an average purity of 71% (range: 17-101%), with capsules showing the highest overall purity. We envisage the data in this paper being used by forensic toxicologists, law enforcement and drug policy makers.
(© 2026 The Author(s). Journal of Forensic Sciences published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Academy of Forensic Sciences.)
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Contributed Indexing: Keywords: 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine; MDA; MDMA; driving under the influence; drug seizure; ecstasy; postmortem; trends
Substance Nomenclature: KE1SEN21RM (N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine)
0 (Hallucinogens)
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260212 Date Completed: 20260707 Latest Revision: 20260707
Update Code: 20260708
PubMed Central ID: PMC13139824
DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.70284
PMID: 41676995
Βάση Δεδομένων: MEDLINE
Περιγραφή
ISSN:1556-4029
DOI:10.1111/1556-4029.70284