Toxicological findings in suspected drugging incidents in Denmark from 2022 - 2024.

PURPOSE: Suspicions of drugging – the covert administration of psychoactive substances – have been increasing in Denmark. Our aim was to identify risk factors and characterize the substances detected in suspected drugging incidents.

METHODS

We reviewed toxicological results and police-provided information for all subjects referred for forensic toxicological examination in Denmark between April 2022 and June 2024 due to suspected drugging.

RESULTS

Three-hundred-and-seventy-three subjects were examined, of which 280 (75%) were female. Median [interquartile range] age was 23 [19–29] years. Median time from suspected incident to blood sampling was reported in 223 subjects, and was 18 [11–29] hours. We detected psychoactive drugs in 244 subjects (65%); most frequently ethanol (n = 179, 48%). In samples taken within 12 h, the median blood and urine alcohol concentration was 1.0 [0.5–1.5] ‰ (n = 58) and 1.7 [1.0-2.2] ‰ (n = 50), respectively. Central stimulants, antidepressants, and cannabis were present in 43 (11%), 34 (9%), and 25 (7%) subjects, respectively. Self-intake was reported for 82 subjects (22%). Among these, psychoactive drugs other than ethanol, which were not reported as self-intake, were detected in 20 (24%), most frequently central stimulants, antidepressants, and cannabis. However, in eight (10%), benzodiazepines, opioids, or sedating antihistamines not explained by self-intake were detected. Blackout was the most frequently reported symptom, noted by 45 (61%) out of 74 subjects, for whom symptom data were available.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk factors for experiencing suspected drugging included young age, female sex, and exposure to alcohol, antidepressants and/or central stimulants. The detected drugs mostly reflected frequently used drugs in society.