Analytical evidence to show letters impregnated with novel psychoactive substances are a means of getting drugs to inmates within the UK prison service

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 673-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loretta T Ford ◽  
Jonathan D Berg
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychotropic Substances ◽  
Dog Training ◽  
Class A ◽  
Class B ◽  
Training Team ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Security Concern

Introduction Novel psychotropic substances also known as legal highs are a major concern in UK prisons, fuelling violence and putting a strain on resources for inmates requiring medical treatment for adverse effects. We provide a clinical toxicology service including routine screening for novel psychoactive substances. In 2015, we were approached by Her Majesty Prison Service search dog training team to advise on which novel psychoactive substances to target, and again in 2016 to further provide analytical support to test five letters which the dogs positively identified for novel psychotropic substances during routine searches of prison mail rooms. Here we provide the first analytical confirmation that letters sent to inmates are being used to smuggle novel psychotropic substances into UK prisons. Results Novel psychotropic substances were detected on all five letters and these included the stimulants ethylphenidate, methiopropamine and methoxiphenidaine, the sedative etizolam and the third generation synthetic cannabinoids 5F-AKB-48, AB-FUBINACA, MDMB-CHMICA. Other compounds detected include the class A drug cocaine, class B drug methylphenidate and the cutting agents lignocaine, benzocaine and procaine. Conclusion Novel psychotropic substances smuggled into UK prisons is a major safety and security concern. By analytically confirming letters sent to inmates do contain novel psychotropic substances, we have produced categorical evidence to support anecdotal suggestions that novel psychotropic substances are entering UK prisons in this manner.

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 isolation and characterisation of the synthetic cannabinoid AM-2201 from commercial products using purification by HPLC-DAD

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Smilja Duranovic ◽  
Mathieu Elie ◽  
Mark Baron
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectra ◽  
Drugs Of Abuse ◽  
Methanolic Extract ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Preparative Hplc ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Mass Spectral ◽  
Fast Gc ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Analytical Laboratories

AbstractA total of six products containing legal highs were purchased via the internet from the UK- based retailers and screened for the presence of synthetic cannabinoids using a fast GC-MS method and identified, in the absence of reference materials, by comparing the mass spectra with the Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs (SWGDRUG) mass spectral library. Four synthetic cannabinoids were detected: RCS-4, CP-47, 497, UR-144 and AM-2201. The active ingredient (1-(5-fluoropentyl)-3-(1-naphthoyl) indole), with the street name AM-2201, detected in the product named Doob was isolated and purified from the methanolic extract of the product using preparative HPLC with analytical column (column overloading method). The structure of the substance was confirmed using NMR. This approach used common analytical equipment found in forensic and other analytical laboratories (except for the NMR), therefore can be useful for the identification of unknown psychoactive substances in drugs of abuse.

scholarly journals Knowledge and (Ab)Use in Connection with Novel Psychoactive Substances: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Psychedelic Users Existing on Online Platforms

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Mohammed-Lutfi Al-Imam ◽  
Ahmed Al-Imam
Keyword(s):  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Online Platforms ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
Developed World

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of use and misuse of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) has been escalating at an exponential rate in the past two decades. Studies on NPS are highly concentrated in relevance to the developed world, while few have been undertaken in the developing countries.MATERIALS & METHODS: This study is observational and cross-sectional in nature; it relies on a web-based survey distributed to a population of (ab)users of psychedelics and NPS; this community was accessible via dedicated online platforms psychedelics users located on the Facebook social communication medium. The aim of the study is to estimate the level of knowledge and the extent of (mis)use in connection with psychoactive substances, including the novel ones (NPS).RESULTS: The number of participants who responded to the survey reached 458 responders. The level of knowledge and (ab)use was relatively high. The majority of participating individuals were Caucasians males from the developed world including the US, the UK, India, and western European countries. The primary religious affiliation was either agnosticism or atheism. Approximately, 26% were diagnosed with the neuropsychiatric condition.CONCLUSION: The NPS phenomenon is still a major concern primarily in the developed world. Additional studies are required in virtual and non-virtual populations. The targeted populations should include; students, medical professionals, academics, patients with psychiatric and neurological abnormalities, convicts and criminals, and even terrorists.

scholarly journals New psychoactive substances: Challenges

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 983-990
Author(s):  
Katarina Crnić ◽  
Mira Kovačević
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Diagnostic Laboratory ◽  
Psychotropic Substances ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Individual ◽  
New Strategies

Introduction: The United Nation Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) defines "new psychoactive substances" (NPS) as substances for abuse that are not under the control of the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs or the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, but may constitute the definition of a group of different substances, which have been developing very rapidly since 2000 and are difficult to identify due to frequent changes in pharmacological and toxicological properties.The health risk assessment of consumers has been insufficiently researched.The use of NPS is reaching epidemic proportions worldwide and poses an increasing danger to the individual and public health. There are several basic groups of NPS, according to their chemical composition and pharmacological properties. All NPS cannot be safely differentiated according to these groups, and their effects, potency and risk profile are not similar to the substances from which they are derived. The highest percentage of abused NPS is from the group of synthetic cathinones and synthetic cannabinoids. Clinicaly, NPS abuse is categorized as acute intoxications, which is more common, because NPS is most often used on certain occasions (outings, musical events) or as an addiction. Acute intoxications with different types of NPS are severe, with numerous mental and physical symptoms, often life-threatening and with fatal outcomes. Adequate diagnosis is uncertain, diagnostic laboratory tests for drugs are generally not applicable to NPS. Symptomatic internal medicine and psychiatric therapy are used in the treatment because there are no specific antidotes, except for the group of synthetic opioids, (naltrexone). Patients with more serious complications are taken care of in intensive care units. Addiction to certain types of NPS is diagnosed and treated according to the principles of treatment of addiction to already known drugs. Methods: The paper presents an overview of available foreign and domestic literature and experiences of various authors on the topic of NPS from the previous 10 years, as well as the latest reports of regulatory bodies in the USA and Europe, in charge of monitoring epidemiological data on NPS. Topic: The main goal of the paper is to draw the attention of the professional public to the problem of the epidemic wave of new psychoactive substances in the world, as well as significant amounts of knowledge and experience and developing new strategies for registration, monitoring, diagnosis and treatment of abuses and dependence on these substances. Conclusion: These facts impose the need to raise the vigilance of the health and legal system according to the presence of NPS on the market and the prevalence of use in the population, their health risks, as well as connecting with European organizations for monitoring NPS and developing new strategies for their control and prevention.

scholarly journals Electrochemical Strategies for the Screening of Synthetic Cannabinoid BB-22 (QUCHIC) within a Toxicological Specimen

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anaam Ameen ◽  
Kelly Brown ◽  
Lynn Dennany
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Screening Strategy ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoid ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Sample Analysis ◽  
Primary Metabolite ◽  
Biological Matrix ◽  
Improve Treatment ◽  
Treatment Administration

Abstract Synthetic Cannabinoids (SC) are amongst the most prevalent class of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) which have emerged. The increase in hospitalisation and fatalities as a result of the prevalence of these SC and their abuse, highlights the necessity for the rapid and reliable screening for the substance within toxicological samples. Being able to rapidly screen for these substances would aim to improve overdose triage and ultimately improve treatment administration. Not only this but it would have further advantages for in-field applications such as the identification of drivers under the influence. To this avail we investigate the ability of a simple electrochemical screening strategy for the detection of SC, BB-22 and its primary metabolite BB-22-3-Carboxyindole. Assessment of the feasibility of the strategy for implementation into toxicological sample analysis was performed through detection not only under ideal electrolyte conditions (down to 5 µM for BB-22 and 2 µM for its metabolite) but also within the complex biological matrix of human pooled serum (between 200 and 700 µM), a relevant matrix it would likely encounter if employed within this field.

scholarly journals Recreational use of synthetic cannabinoids: prevalence, intoxication, side effects, addictive potential

2020 ◽  
pp. 27-35
Author(s):  
А.В. Анцыборов ◽  
О.В. Камплицкая ◽  
М.В. Овсянников ◽  
К.В. Стадник ◽  
Л.Ф. Панченко
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Drug Market ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Google Scholar ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Urgent Task ◽  
Addictive Potential ◽  
Recreational Use

С появлением на нелегальном рынке наркотиков новых психоактивных веществ, одно из первых в данном классе стали занимать синтетические каннабиноиды (СК). СК в основном распространяются через сеть Интернет, с помощью онлайн мессенджеров, и VPN-сетей. Токсическое влияние СК на организм человека оказывается достаточно мощным и нередко заканчивается летальным исходом. Однако аддиктивный потенциал СК достаточно высок, и нуждается в дальнейшем изучении, особенно с появлением новых классов СК. Разработка дифференциально-диагностических критериев и терапевтических подходов при лечении острых психотических состояний, вызванных употреблением СК, представляется актуальной задачей для практического здравоохранения. Цель: обзор накопленных научных данных о последствиях рекреационного употребления СК на организм человека. Материалы: при написании обзора использовали следующие репрезентативные базы данных: PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Cochrane, платформы SciFinder, и Scopus. Методы: в качестве поисковых запросов использовались следующие ключевые слова: Spice, K2, synthetic cannabis, new psychoactive sub-stances (NPS), adverse effects, cannabinoid’s receptor, psychosis due to the use NPS, fatalities. Реферируемые статьи были отфильтрованы по тезисам, с целью определения релевантности для настоящего обзора. With the emergence of novel psychoactive substances in the illegal drug market, synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) became one of the first in this class. SCs are mainly distributed through the Internet, by online messengers and VPN networks. The toxic effect of SCs on the human body is quite powerful and often results in death. The addictive potential of SCs is rather high and needs further study, especially with the emergence of new SC classes. Development of differential diagnostic criteria and therapeutic approaches in the treatment of acute psychotic conditions caused by the use of SCs is an urgent task for practical health care. Objective: to review scientific data on consequences of the recreational use of SCs in humans. Materials: data from six representative databases, PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Cochrane, the SciFinder platform, and Scopus, were used for this review. Methods: the following combinations and keywords were used as search queries: Spice, K2, synthetic cannabis, novel psychoactive substances (NPS), adverse effects, cannabinoid’s receptor, psychosis due to the use of NPS, fatalities. Peer-reviewed articles were filtered by abstracts to determine their relevance for the present review.

scholarly journals Motives for Classical and Novel Psychoactive Substances Use in Psychedelic Polydrug Users

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 304-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannes Kettner ◽  
Natasha L. Mason ◽  
Kim P. C. Kuypers
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Motivational Patterns ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Harm Prevention ◽  
Legal Frameworks ◽  
Educational Campaigns

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are compounds designed to mimic the effects of existing recreational drugs (classical psychoactive substances [CPS]), while eluding established legal frameworks. Little is known about their effects and potential harms, rendering the increasing number of NPS a challenge to policy makers and researchers alike. Quantitative studies on the motives underlying NPS use are limited, though understanding them is crucial for the design of effective harm prevention strategies. The present study therefore aimed to compare motivational patterns for NPS, CPS, and legal psychoactive substance (LPS) use. An online survey including questions about lifetime drug use, demographics, and motives for use was completed by 2,319 participants of which 1,967 consented and were 18 years or older. Data on lifetime use and endorsed motives are presented for 12 psychoactive substances classified into LPS (alcohol, nicotine), CPS (cannabis, MDMA/ecstasy, amphetamines, cocaine, psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca), and NPS (synthetic cannabinoids, stimulant, and hallucinogenic) and compared between classes. Across substances, the most frequently endorsed motives were to feel euphoric (58.0%), enhance an activity (52.3%), and broaden consciousness (48.1%). Motives for use were found to differ by substance and gender, with coping-related reasons being more frequent among female participants compared to males who indicated to use for a broad range of reasons. Motivational patterns of CPS and NPS use were largely similar to their classical analogues, this was not the case for synthetic cannabinoids, which had as main endorsed motive getting intoxicated, indiscriminate of specific qualities. This information can feed into tailoring of educational campaigns and prevention strategies.

scholarly journals The e-Psychonauts’ ‘Spiced’ World; Assessment of the Synthetic Cannabinoids’ Information Available Online

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 966-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Zangani ◽  
Fabrizio Schifano ◽  
Flavia Napoletano ◽  
Davide Arillotta ◽  
Liam Gilgar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Risks ◽  
Large Range ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Web Crawling ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Web Crawler ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Clinical Observations ◽  
Wide Range

Background: A wide range of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) is regularly searched and discussed online by web-based drug enthusiasts (i.e. the e-psychonauts). Among NPS, the range of synthetic cannabinoids (SC; ‘Spice’) currently represents a challenge for governments and clinicians. Methods: Using a web crawler (i.e. the NPS.Finder®), the present study aimed at assessing psychonauts’ fora/platforms to better understand the online mentions of SC. Results: The open-web crawling/navigating software identified here some 1,103 synthetic cannabinoids. Of these, 863 molecules were not listed in either the international or the European NPS databases. Conclusions: A web crawling approach helped here in identifying a large range of unknown SC likely to possess a misuse potential. Most of these novel/emerging molecules are still relatively unknown. This is a reason for concern; each of these analogues potentially presents different toxicodynamic profiles and there is a lack of docking, preclinical, and clinical observations. Strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration between clinicians and bioinformatics may prove useful in better assessing SC-associated public health risks.

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