Automated detection of controlled substances from sealed e-cigarettes.

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are novel psychoactive substances (NPS) that are highly potent and associated with a range of severe toxicities. SC use, which is common in UK prisons and homeless communities, typically involves combustion of SC-soaked herb or paper material. Recently, e-cigarettes (or vapes) have emerged as popular delivery vehicles for SCs, and consumption amongst the general population has risen significantly. SC-containing e-cigarettes (or e-liquids) are sold through street dealers or on the black market, often as imitation cannabis extracts, where both compound and concentra-tion are unspecified. The risk of SC toxicity due to accidental consumption is therefore high. Numerous overdoes tied to SC-containing e-cigarettes have been reported in schools around the UK, where side effects include psychosis, seizure and cardiac arrest. SCs cannot be identified in complex e-liquid matrices using current field-portable detection technologies, preventing the rapid screening of suspicious products. Herein, we report on the design and development of a device that can rapidly detect SCs and other relevant drugs in sealed e-cigarettes and e-liquids. We describe and implement a method to artificially actuate an e-cigarette, simultaneously depositing e-liquid vapor onto a physical matrix. We couple this ex-traction method with fluorescence-based detection of SCs to create a rapid and generic test for SC-containing e-cigarettes. In addition, we expand the potential of the detection modality by leveraging the photochemical degradation of THC and nitazenes on a solid matrix as a means for their rapid detection from e-liquids and sealed e-cigarettes.