A gas chromatograph has been added to the database of the chemical and toxicological laboratory of the Vitebsk Regional Center for Psychiatry and Narcology

A modern chromatograph, purchased by the healthcare department of the regional executive committee, allows for the identification of new variations of synthetic drugs that fall into the hands of young people.

The gas chromatograph has supplemented the database of the chemical-toxicological laboratory of the regional center for psychiatry and narcology and has provided extensive opportunities for medical professionals and interested services in the fight against drug addiction.

The device qualitatively and quickly determines the presence of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and their precursors in biological fluids. Material for testing is received by laboratory technicians from healthcare facilities in the Vitebsk region, as well as from individuals brought for medical examination by law enforcement officers.

The modern device identifies up to 900 medicinal preparations, psychotropic substances,

narcotic drugs, and, most importantly, it identifies specific groups of designer and synthetic drugs. If previously, for example, doctors judged whether a teenager had used so-called spice or not, mainly based on clinical symptoms, then with the advent of the chromatograph, they have laboratory confirmation of their conclusions. Given that synthetic smoking mixtures constantly change their composition, as new components are discovered, the electronic database of spectra of the substances being analyzed by the chromatograph is automatically updated and supplemented, which helps to recognize new variations of designer drugs.

– Over 100 tests have been performed on the new equipment since March, – says laboratory head Anna Lyasun. – The process is automated and computerized. The technical capabilities of the complex allow for the analysis of up to 30 biological samples per day (taking into account the laboratory's round-the-clock operation). Previously, the analysis was carried out entirely manually and took at least 4-5 hours. Now, laboratory technicians independently carry out only sample preparation – they purify biological samples from various impurities, which is also a rather labor-intensive and lengthy process. In addition, the new equipment has high sensitivity, thereby eliminating the possibility of both false positive and false negative results.

The laboratory at the center has been in existence for over 5 years. According to Anna Gennadievna, previouslya significant portion of research focused on the presence of alcohol, but in recent years there has been a shift towards narcotic substances, with specialists often detecting synthetic cannabinoids, which have the most aggressive effect on the body.

As reported by **Elena Martynova, Chief Physician of the Regional Center for Psychiatry and Narcology**, the number of identified drug users in the Vitebsk region is decreasing (for example, over the past year, the figure decreased by 19.6% compared to 2014). These are mainly young people under 35 years of age. However, the current concern is the increase in drug use among students of schools, colleges, and vocational schools, primarily due to the popularity of "spice" (synthetic cannabinoids). Therefore, the problem of youth addiction to trendy drugs remains relevant and requires effective methods of work, including within the framework of interdepartmental cooperation between healthcare and law enforcement agencies.

Natalia Ryzhkova, "Vitebskiye Vesti".