ABSTRACT
Human drug exposure can occur through a variety of different means. Therapeutic drugs are often administered orally, intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously. Saliva is produced by the salivary glands: the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual. Various collection techniques have been used to collect mixed saliva. Saliva drug concentrations tended to be higher than plasma concentrations, with an average S/P ratio of 2.4, compared with the predicted ratio of 3.93. Alcohol was the most common drug detected, followed by cannabinoids and diazepam. Ethanol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Amphetamines are sympathomimetic amines with central nervous system stimulant activity similar to cocaine, but with a longer half-life. Barbiturates can produce a variety of CNS mood changes, including excitation, sedation, hypnosis, anesthesia, and coma. Benzodiazepines can produce a variety of effects, such as sedation and hypnosis, and also possess muscle relaxant, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant properties.
