FORENSIC ANALYSIS OF SAMPLES OF CONFISCATED ABUSE SUBSTANCES, CARRIED OUT IN THE LABORATORY OF ANALYSIS AND DRUGS OF THE CARABINIERI, MILITARY STATION “CARINI”, PALERMO

The aim of this study was to define some methods of qualitative and quantitative analysis for technical verification of alleged drugs confiscated by the stations of the Carabinieri in Palermo and Trapani provinces. Observation concerned: the quantity of the confiscated material, the quantity of the active principle, the cutting substances and the consumption in adult and minor population. The Carabinieri ask for analyses of confiscated drugs to the L.A.S.S. laboratory, where the samples are added with the suitable standard and put to ultrasound. Then, the solution is analyzed with gas cromatography and gas mass spectrometry. In 2015 there were 1,000 analysed finds out of 1,454 total finds. The net weight was: 1102,03 g heroin, 15724,5 g hashish, 40812,7 g marijuana, 18,396 g MDMA, 902,1 g methadone and 0,32721 g LSD. The net weight of the active principle was: 907,3 g cocaine; 8,7 g heroin; 4126,7 g hashish; 3829,2 g marijuana; 19,35 g MDMA; 7,26 g methadone and 0,00112 g LSD. Cannabis is the illegal substance used by people of all age and the first step towards other more dangerous drugs. Heroin is cut, while cocaine undergoes less dilution or adulteration. Ecstasy and MDMA are associated with nightlife and consumed together with alcohol. Drug abuse among young people is still an issue; with respect to some substances, it is even increasing.