PCP analogues in samples of Barcelona from 2009 to 2015
IntroductionNovel psychoactive substances (NPS) use is progressively increasing year on year. The new analogues of phencyclidine are frequently sold as legal dissociative anesthetic drug with hallucinogenic and sedative effects, a legal alternative to ketamine, acting as a high affinity and selective ligand of NMDA receptor antagonists.ObjectivesTo describe the presence of 3- and 4-MeO-PCP in samples delivered to Energy Control from 2009 to 2015 in Spain.MethodsA total of 21,198 samples were analyzed from august 2009 to august 2015. Only those samples containing 4-MeO-PCP or 3-MeO-PCP were studied. They were analyzed by Energy Control, a Spanish harm reduction NGO that offers the possibility of analyzing the substances that users report. Analysis was done by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.ResultsAll the samples resulted to be the acquired drug of the consumer. Three samples were adulterated with substances as tramadol, cocaine, acetone among others.ConclusionsThree and 4-MeO-PCP consumption is not found to be an emerging issue according to the results of our samples. Even the potential harmful effects of these dissociative drugs, our indirect indicator seems to show that consumption has not increased. A more precise monitoring would make a better approach to the real consumption and the impact of these substances in our society.Disclosure of interestThe authors declare that they have no competing interest.