Analysis for identification in amnesty bin samples from dance venues

The analysis of unknown substances discarded in amnesty bins, first described by Ramsey et al, from a large central London club and 7 smaller clubs in Manchester, UK are described. The contents of the bins were collected between July 2003 and March 2004. Solid dosage formulations were identified using the TICTAC database, chemical tests, and GC-MS screening. Drugs that could not be readily identified were subjected to other analytical techniques. The goal was to document the current range of drugs available on the dance scene and compare the findings between the London club, which had been the subject of a previous survey, and Manchester clubs. More than 1000 tablets, capsules, and powder doses were discarded in the amnesty bins. Tablets containing only MDMA (ecstasy) were found to be >94% and >84% of the total in London and Manchester, respectively. Although the quantities of tablets and powders recovered were different between London and Manchester, the proportions of the drugs were remarkably similar. The most common drugs found in powders in London and Manchester respectively were cocaine (29%, 40%), amphetamine (25%, 26%), ketamine (19%, 20%), and MDMA (19%, 11%).