[Profile of chemical analyses of psychoactive substances in the Laboratory of the Department of Clinical Toxicology in the years 1990-1999].

The chemical-toxicological Laboratory of the Department of Clinical Toxicology carry on the analyses of xenobiotics in biological fluid collected from poisoned patient leaving in Krakow and south-eastern Poland. The evaluation of frequency of performed analyses in the years 1990-1999 shown that among psychoactive substances, ethanol is the most common reason of acute poisoning, followed by psychotropic drugs and drugs of abuse. The level of ethyl alcohol above 2 g/L was observed in more than 40% of patients. In evaluated period the number of barbiturates analyses dropped, benzodiazepines stayed on the same level. During this time evident increase of illicit drugs (amphetamines, opiates and THC) analyses was observed.