# Contamination of a drug consumption room with drugs and potential risks for social health care workers

## TL;DR

This study found that drug consumption rooms have surface contamination with drugs, but staff health risks appear low.

## Contribution

The study extends drug contamination research to drug consumption rooms and evaluates cleaning efficiency and staff exposure.

## Key findings

- Medium to heavy drug contamination was found on surfaces and door handles.
- Air contamination was highest in the smoking room.
- Staff urine and hair showed very low drug levels, indicating low acute health risks.

## Abstract

Studies have shown that contamination of surfaces by illicit drugs frequently occurs in forensic laboratories when manipulating seized samples as well as in pharmacies and hospitals when preparing medicinal drugs. In this project, we extended these studies to a Drug Consumption Room to investigate drug levels and possible exposure of the staff members.

We investigated pre and post cleaning contamination by heroin and cocaine and their degradation products 6-monoacetylmorphine and benzoylecgonine on different surfaces (tables, counters, computers and door handles) and in the ambient air. We also collected urine and hair samples from staff members to check for potential short and long term contaminations.

Medium to heavy contamination has been detected on most surfaces and door handles; as expected, air contamination was particularly high in the smoking room. Drug levels were < LOD to very low in the urine and the hair samples of staff members tested.

The cleaning efficiency of the surfaces, carried out by staff and drug users after drug consumption, was often not satisfactory. The very low drug levels in hair indicate that acute health risks for staff members are low.