A POCKET ecstasy-detector for blood and urine and a study which could produce an electronic sniffer dog are among 26 research projects in a new £1 million Government programme.
The Science and Technology Initiative against Drugs, administered by Forbairt, has allocated £497,000 towards studies into detection and analysis of drugs.
These include a study by Prof George Guilbault at UCC to find a way to detect ecstasy or its derivatives in blood and urine. Hem hopes to develop a pocket instrument for first-aid teams, ambulance and casualty staff.
A DCU team led by Dr Dermot Diamond will investigate whether "artificial nose" technology used in the perfume industry could be used to detect drugs. The team is hoping to produce a portable instrument.
Dr Pat Guiry, of UCD, will be manufacturing at least 64 different ecstasy formulations to try to create a databank of chemical "fingerprints". Meawhile, a team in UCG led by Prof Tom Glynn will attempt to develop a laser system for analysing substances without breaking them down chemically.
A further £330,000 is being allocated to studies on the effects of drug's. Dr Michael Gill, of TCD, will investigate if genetics is a factor in ecstasy deaths.
Announcing the funding yesterday, the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said the projects would provide vital information.
The remaining £200,000 is being allocated to projects profiling ecstasy abusers and examining the reasons why young people turn to drug use.
