Scientists develop on-the-spot saliva test for drug Spice

Scientists have developed a new test which can detect if a person has taken the drug Spice.

The saliva test, which takes about five minutes, can be performed on the spot and identifies whether the psychoactive synthetic cannabinoids have been smoked, and if so, how strong the drug was.

It is hoped the test will be able to help healthcare professionals treat people who may have taken the drug, who may be unconscious, incoherent or experiencing psychosis.

At present, the current method of testing is to take urine or blood samples that are then sent to a laboratory, but these often take days to get back results.

Scientiests have developed a new test to see if people have taken the drug spice. Credit: PA

What is spice?

Spice is not a single substance, but can be one or a mixture of more than 100 different man-made chemicals, which makes it difficult to test.

This means a precautionary approach is taken which patients as it may not be the optimal course for treatment, scientists say.

Those undergoing temporary psychosis due to Spice may also be admitted to a psychiatric ward.

The drug has become popular its availability and relative affordability.

Consumers used to be able to buy forms of the drug on the high street before a ban the psychoactive substance ban in 2016 and was readily sold over the counter or online.

It is hoped that medical professionals will be able to trial the test within a year Credit: University of Bath/PA

How is the test carried out?

The University of Bath, which has been developing the test, hosted a session with representatives from the NHS, drug charities and homeless charities.

To conduct the test, a saliva sample is taken from the patient and put into a small clear tube.

This tube is placed into the machine, which then uses light to scan for the “fingerprint” of a Spice compound.

Within five minutes, the result comes up on a screen linked to the device.

Lab testing commissioned by The Associated Press shows this cartridge and several other vapes marketed as delivering CBD instead contained synthetic marijuana, a street drug commonly known as K2 or spice. Credit: AP

What do experts say?

Dr Chris Pudney, at the University of Bath, described results as “simple and very accurate” and easy to understand.

“My partner is a psychiatrist and she was telling me that currently they don’t have a way to confirm when they suspect Spice use, they just don’t know for sure,” Dr Pudney said.

“You can test for it with a urine or blood sample that is sent off to a lab, but that takes a few days and so in most cases it’s pointless.

“I started looking into the chemistry and it’s actually similar to something we have developed for detection of biological molecules.

“We decided on saliva because it seemed tractable and less invasive than some other options.”

Dr Jenny Scott, of the Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, said: “Spice can be used to ‘zombify’ people, escaping them from the reality in which they find themselves, making them highly vulnerable.

“Two thirds of prison governors report concern about new psychoactive substances use in their prisons, including spice. Use of spice and other synthetic cannabinoids is estimated at about 10% amongst prisoners, and has placed a strain on emergency healthcare.

“Our collaborative research work with homeless people who use drugs has found spice is commonly taken by them also.

“Detection and confirmation of spice use early on when someone is found incoherent gives a chance to start timely treatment for their symptoms.

“Further down the line, we can foresee the kit being used as part of a care pathway that avoids the need to hospitalise some patients if appropriate healthcare can be given where they are.”

It is hoped that medical professionals will be able to trial the device within a year.

The prototype test is featured in the journal Analytical Chemistry.