scholarly journals Underestimated impact of novel psychoactive substances: laboratory confirmation of recreational drug toxicity in Oslo, Norway

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 636-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Odd Martin Vallersnes ◽  
Per Sverre Persett ◽  
Elisabeth Leere Øiestad ◽  
Ritva Karinen ◽  
Fridtjof Heyerdahl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Toxicity ◽  
Recreational Drug ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Laboratory Confirmation

Evaluating Trends in Novel Psychoactive Substances Using a Sentinel Population of Electronic Dance Music Festival Attendees

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda L A Mohr ◽  
Melissa F Fogarty ◽  
Alex J Krotulski ◽  
Barry K Logan
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Oral Fluid ◽  
Recreational Drug ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Dance Music ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Electronic Dance Music ◽  
Recreational Drug Use ◽  
First Time

Abstract Electronic dance music (EDM) festivals have become a popular venue for recreational drug use, including the use of traditional stimulants like 3,4-methylenendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and novel psychoactive substances (NPS). Using this cohort of people who use drugs recreationally, this study sought to collect biological specimens and self-reported drug use data from EDM festival attendees in the United States to monitor regional and temporal trends related to NPS use and turnover between 2014 and 2017. Oral fluid samples were collected at three United States EDM festival locations, including Miami, Florida (2014 to 2017); Tampa, Florida (2017) and Atlanta, Georgia (2017). Samples were screened by liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and confirmed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Over the 4 years, 1,233 oral fluid samples were collected. With respect to self-reported drug use, 63% of respondents reported medicinal and/or recreational drug use within the last week. When comparing 4 years of data from Miami (2014 to 2017), NPS trends showed the disappearance of alpha-PVP after 2014 followed by a significant increase in ethylone positivity in 2015 and rapid decrease in 2016. Dibutylone was identified for the first time in Miami 2016, and N-ethyl pentylone was identified for the first time in Miami 2017. Additionally, 3,4-methylenendioxymethamphetamine positivity steadily increased from 2014 to 2017. A comparison across study sites (Miami, Tampa and Atlanta) and specific trends with respect to novel simulant use are described within. Using this opportunistic approach of monitoring drug trends, we have found that peak positivity of novel stimulants usually is within a year of their first detection. Understanding the dynamics of NPS drug markets will allow laboratories to plan for resource allocation and scope updates within a timely fashion to assist with the detection and confirmation of these emerging substances in samples submitted for forensic analysis.

scholarly journals Multiple Drug-Toxicity Involving Novel Psychoactive Substances, 3-Fluorophenmetrazine and U-47700

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 765-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayla N Ellefsen ◽  
Elizabeth A Taylor ◽  
Paul Simmons ◽  
Vickie Willoughby ◽  
Brad J Hall
Keyword(s):  
Drug Toxicity ◽  
Multiple Drug ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances

Prospettiva e Valore della matrice Cheratinica nella valutazione dell'utilizzo di Nuove Sostanze Psicoattive nella popolazione che afferisce ai SERD

MISSION ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
Concettina Varango ◽  
Francesca Musarella ◽  
Mara Cella ◽  
Antonella Varango
Keyword(s):  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances

Questo articolo nasce dall'esigenza di informare un più ampio pubblico sul pericolo rappresentato da queste sostanze, far conoscere le NPS (Novel Psychoactive substances) agli operatori del settore (personale di laboratorio, personale delle unità di emergenza/ urgenza, operatori sanitari, ricercatori, ecc.) al fine di agevolare l'analisi di campioni sconosciuti e divulgare i dati scientifici che cominciano ad emergere da studi clinici e preclinici sui loro effetti tossici e farmacologici. Dal 2009 sono comparsi nel gruppo delle N.P.S., i nuovi oppioidi sintetici, molecole estremamente potenti che comportano una seria minaccia per la salute pubblica. Si tratta di prodotti dalla notevole potenza (il fentanyl, per esempio, capostipite di questa famiglia, ha un'azione circa 100 volte maggiore rispetto a quella della morfina) che vengono utilizzati sia per sé sia come adulteranti di partite di sostanze classiche, soprattutto eroina, causando scie di decessi per overdose. 

scholarly journals Human Neuronal Cell Lines as An In Vitro Toxicological Tool for the Evaluation of Novel Psychoactive Substances

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6785
Author(s):  
Valeria Sogos ◽  
Paola Caria ◽  
Clara Porcedda ◽  
Rafaela Mostallino ◽  
Franca Piras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Mechanisms Of Toxicity ◽  
Neuronal Cell Lines

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are synthetic substances belonging to diverse groups, designed to mimic the effects of scheduled drugs, resulting in altered toxicity and potency. Up to now, information available on the pharmacology and toxicology of these new substances is very limited, posing a considerable challenge for prevention and treatment. The present in vitro study investigated the possible mechanisms of toxicity of two emerging NPS (i) 4′-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinoexanophenone (3,4-MDPHP), a synthetic cathinone, and (ii) 2-chloro-4,5-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (2-Cl-4,5-MDMA), a phenethylamine. In addition, to apply our model to the class of synthetic opioids, we evaluated the toxicity of fentanyl, as a reference compound for this group of frequently abused substances. To this aim, the in vitro toxic effects of these three compounds were evaluated in dopaminergic-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. Following 24 h of exposure, all compounds induced a loss of viability, and oxidative stress in a concentration-dependent manner. 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA activates apoptotic processes, while 3,4-MDPHP elicits cell death by necrosis. Fentanyl triggers cell death through both mechanisms. Increased expression levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and caspase 3 activity were observed following 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA and fentanyl, but not 3,4-MDPHP exposure, confirming the different modes of cell death.

scholarly journals Emergence of novel psychoactive substances among clients of a needle exchange programme in Budapest

2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (35) ◽  
pp. 1383-1394 ◽  
Author(s):  
József Rácz ◽  
Róbert Csák
Keyword(s):  
Warning System ◽  
Needle Exchange ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Blue Point ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Exchange Programme

In this paper the authors summarize experience of a drug service provider with the injecting use of novel psychoactive substances. Among clients of the needle exchange programme of Blue Point Drug Counselling and Outpatient Centre, the authors observed the spread of the novel substances since 2009. The extensive spread of the novel substances caused substantial change in injecting use patterns, thus in the usage of the needle exchange programme. The novel psychoactive substances appeared consecutively, so that this setting gave a unique opportunity to observe and track the emergence of these substances. The authors summarize the characteristics which are important for medical practice (risks, frequent use, severe psychopathological conditions) as well as special risks associated with these substances (substances with unknown composition and effect). They highlight the importance and role of the early warning system, monitoring the online sources of information and testing of samples containing novel psychoactive substances. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(35), 1383–1394.

Novel psychoactive substances in a psychiatric young adults sample: A multicenter, observational study

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S311-S311
Author(s):  
M. Lupi ◽  
T. Acciavatti ◽  
S. Marini ◽  
E. Cinosi ◽  
R. Santacroce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Binge Drinking ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Multicenter Observational Study ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Population

IntroductionComorbidities between psychiatric diseases and consumption of traditional substances of abuse are common. Nevertheless, there is no data regarding the use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in the psychiatric population.ObjectivesThe purpose of this multicentre survey is to investigate the consumption of a wide variety of psychoactive substances in a young psychiatric sample.MethodsBetween September 2013 and November 2015, a questionnaire has been administered, in ten Italian psychiatric care facilities, to a sample of 671 psychiatric patients (48.5% men; 51.5% women), aged between 18 and 26 years (mean age: 22.24).Results8.2% of the sample declared use of NPS at least once in a lifetime and 2.2% have assumed NPS in the last three months. The NPS more used were synthetic cannabinoids (4.5%), followed by methamphetamine (3.6%). The three psychiatric diagnosis with more frequent NPS consumption were bipolar disorder (23.1%), personality disorders (11.8%) and schizophrenia and related disorders (11.6%). Bipolar disorder was associated with NPS consumption (P < .001). Among the illicit drugs investigated, 31.4% of the sample was cannabis smoker and 10.7% cocaine user. Moreover, 70.6% of the sample declared alcohol use and 47.7% had binge drinking conducts. In univariate regression analysis, bipolar disorder was positive associated with binge drinking while obsessive compulsive disorder resulted negative associated.ConclusionsThe use of novel psychoactive substances in a young psychiatric population appears to be a frequent phenomenon, probably still underestimated. Bipolar disorder shows an association with NPS use. Therefore, careful and constant monitoring and accurate evaluations of possible clinical effects related to their use are necessary.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals The NPS Phenomenon and the Deep Web: Trends Analyses and Internet Snapshots

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Ahmed Al-Imam ◽  
Ban A. AbdulMajeed
Keyword(s):  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Reliable Data ◽  
Deep Web ◽  
Google Trends ◽  
Knowledge Discovery In Databases ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Surface Web ◽  
Mining Tools

BACKGROUND: In relation to the phenomenon of novel psychoactive substances, activities on the surface web represent only the tip of the iceberg. The majority of the electronic commerce (e-commerce) activities exist on the deep web and the darknet. Observational analytic studies are failing to keep pace with these activities; these studies are either obsolete beyond the point in time of the taken internet snapshot or highly-consuming for resources including time, funding, and manpower.MATERIALS & METHODS: Cross-sectional and retrospective analyses via multiple Internet snapshots were carried out across Google Trends database and the e-markets on the darknet. Google Trends were scanned retrospectively (2012-2016) for keywords specific to the deep web in an aim to estimate and geo-map of the attentiveness (interest) of surface web users in the deep web and its illicit activities.RESULTS: The attentiveness of surface web users in the deep web was noticed to be incremented during 2013 and 2014; the top ten contributing countries were Norway, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia, Switzerland, Finland, and Netherlands. Middle Eastern countries contributed minimally including; Syria, Iran, Israel, UAE, Morocco, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Power scoring of e-markets revealed that the top five markets were; AlphaBay, Agora, Nucleus, Abraxas, and Hansa. The most common categories of NPS on these markets were; cannabis and cannabimimetic (1st), stimulants (2nd), empathogens (3rd), and psychedelics (4th).CONCLUSION: The e-commerce activities on the deep web and the darknet e-marketplace represent an integral component of the NPS e-phenomenon. Unfortunately, recent attempts to examine and study those unlawful activities are outdated. Hence, to achieve real-time and reliable data, the inclusion of data mining tools and knowledge discovery in databases are critical to ensuring a future victory.

scholarly journals Analysis of anonymous pooled urine from portable urinals in central London confirms the significant use of novel psychoactive substances

QJM ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. H. Archer ◽  
P. I. Dargan ◽  
S. Hudson ◽  
D. M. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances

scholarly journals Availability of Illegal Drugs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Western Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norbert Scherbaum ◽  
Udo Bonnet ◽  
Henning Hafermann ◽  
Fabrizio Schifano ◽  
Stefan Bender ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Consumption ◽  
Illegal Drugs ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Addiction Services ◽  
Public Areas ◽  
Single Subjects ◽  
Western Germany ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Substance Related Disorders

Background: In response to the COVID-19-pandemic, a lockdown was established in the middle of March 2020 by the German Federal Government resulting in drastic reduction of private and professional traveling in and out of Germany with a reduction of social contacts in public areas.Research Questions: We seek evidence on whether the lockdown has led to a reduced availability of illegal drugs and whether subjects with substance-related problems tried to cope with possible drug availability issues by increasingly obtaining drugs via the internet, replacing their preferred illegal drug with novel psychoactive substances, including new synthetic opioids (NSO), and/or by seeking drug treatment.Methods: A questionnaire was anonymously filled in by subjects with substance-related disorders, typically attending low-threshold settings, drug consumption facilities, and inpatient detoxification wards from a range of locations in the Western part of Germany. Participants had to both identify their main drug of abuse and to answer questions regarding its availability, price, quality, and routes of acquisition.Results: Data were obtained from 362 participants. The most frequent main substances of abuse were cannabis (n = 109), heroin (n = 103), and cocaine (n = 75). A minority of participants reported decreased availability (8.4%), increased price (14.4%), or decreased quality (28.3%) of their main drug. About 81% reported no change in their drug consumption due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown. A shift to the use of novel psychoactive substances including NSO were reported only by single subjects. Only 1–2% of the participants obtained their main drug via the web.Discussion: Present findings may suggest that recent pandemic-related imposed restrictions may have not been able to substantially influence either acquisition or consumption of drugs within the context of polydrug users (including opiates) attending a range of addiction services in Germany.

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