scholarly journals DATA OF ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE USE IN ROMANIA PROVIDED BY N.A.A. COMPARED WITH THE ANALYSIS OF INDICTMENTS PREPARED BY D.I.I.C.O.T. ORADEA

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-29
Author(s):  
Rares Traian BUSTEAN ◽  
Adrian HATOS
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Organized Crime ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Reliable Data ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Prevalence Estimation ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Sensitive Issue ◽  
Drug Agency

Drug use and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) use are a sensitive issue due to the consequences that those who admit having this habit may expect to suffer. Part of the scientific community recommends that quantitative descriptions on this topic be verified or possibly supplemented by data obtained from research activities that use more reliable data and methods. In Romania, the prevalence estimation of drug and NPS use is performed by the National Anti – Drug Agency by conducting two studies, one every three years and another conducted every four years, respectively. In order to analyze the accuracy of the results presented in the reports prepared by the National Anti – Drug Agency, in this article we compared these results with those resulted from the analysis of the indictments issued by the Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism – Oradea Territorial Service in 2013 – 2019. As a result of this comparison, it was found that there are certain significant differences between the information contained in the two data.

scholarly journals 9-year review of new psychoactive substance use in Hong Kong: A clinical laboratory perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalene HY Tang ◽  
LY Hung ◽  
CK Lai ◽  
CK Ching ◽  
Tony Wing Lai Mak
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Drugs Of Abuse ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
New Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substance Use

Background: New psychoactive substances are constantly evolving structural analogues of traditional drugs of abuse that have become a threat to public health worldwide and within our locality. An understanding of the local pattern of new psychoactive substance use will help guide frontline clinical management. Objectives: This study was conducted to review the new psychoactive substances detected in cases referred to the authors’ laboratory (a tertiary clinical toxicology centre), as well as the associated clinical features and toxicological findings. Methods: All cases referred to the laboratory for toxicology analysis between January 2009 and December 2017, and which were analytically confirmed to involve new psychoactive substance use, were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, clinical features and toxicology findings were studied. Results: A total of 111 cases involving 104 patients and 22 types of new psychoactive substances were identified, with an increasing trend in the number of cases and subclass of new psychoactive substances detected. Up to half of the cases (n = 64) were related to the use of 2-phenyl-2-(ethylamino)-cyclohexanone (2-oxo-PCE, a ketamine analogue); other new psychoactive substances detected included para-methoxymethamphetamine, 4-fluoroamphetamine, phenazepam, 3-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine, 5-methoxy-diisopropyltryptamine, 2-diphenylmethylpyrrolidine, methoxyphenidine, the N-methoxybenzyl drugs, cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids and opioids. Among the acute poisoning cases attributable to new psychoactive substance use, the severity was fatal (n = 3), severe (n = 17), moderate (n = 67) and minor (n = 17). And 11 patients required intensive care unit admission. All three fatal cases were associated with para-methoxymethamphetamine use. Conclusion: A rising trend of new psychoactive substance use is observed locally, which is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Continued vigilance from frontline clinicians and medical professionals is imperative in the combat against new psychoactive substance use.

New methodologies for faster study of new psychoactive substances: A proposal

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S571-S572
Author(s):  
P. Quintana Mathé ◽  
M. Grifell
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Community ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Controlled Drugs ◽  
Drug Checking ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionNew psychoactive substances (NPS) are substances that have recently become available, and are not worldwide regulated. They often intend to mimic the effect of controlled drugs, becoming a public health concern. In 2014, 101 substances were reported for the first time in the EU, which may require to be studied and risk-assessed by the scientific community. The EMCDDA recognizes it as an emerging topic where research is most needed, as the scientific community is struggling to keep pace with the speed at which new substances appear. On the one hand, case reports and internet-based surveys are quickly published but do not provide enough evidence to guide clinical decisions. On the other hand, classical high-reliability methodologies such as Cohort and Clinical studies take too long and their cost is too high to be of much use for the study of NPS. We propose an intermediate methodology to tackle this unmet need.RationaleGonzález and colleagues described a set of highly educated, experimental users of NPS with extensive knowledge and consumption of substances. These users usually look for drug checking of the substances they intend to consume. We suggest we could benefit from the collaboration of such users, and the possibility of obtaining analytical confirmation, to retrieve information about NPS in a quick and reliable fashion.Outline of methodologyRecluting of subjects that submit NPS to a drug checking facility. Analysis of the samples for analytical confirmation. Check inclusion criteria and propose inclusion in the study. Give structured forms for reporting effects and adverse events.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Psychoactive Substance Use Among Nigerian Male Commercial Vehicle Drivers Selected from The Three Major Ethnic Groups in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Tochukwu Frank Egwuatu ◽  
Onyekachi Ogbonnaya Iroanya ◽  
Khalid Olajide Adekoya
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Commercial Vehicle ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Drug Agency ◽  
Test Kit ◽  
Psychoactive Substance Use

The use of psychoactive substances for several reasons by commercial vehicle drivers has been documented as a major cause of increased incidences of traffic accidents globally. The study aimed at determining the prevalence of psychoactive substance use among Nigerian male commercial vehicle drivers randomly selected from the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria (Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba). A structured questionnaire which included data on sociodemographic status and psychoactive drug use history was introduced to all participants. Generic Multi-Drug Urine Dip Card Test Kit and Shimadzu chromatograph system (Shimadzu Corporation, Kyoto, Japan) were used for toxicological analyses. Out of the 264 Nigerian male commercial vehicle drivers who participated in this study, 111(42.0 %) had used illicit drugs in recent times, 55(20.8 %) took drugs for improved energy and 90(34.1 %) felt high after using illicit drugs. Marijuana was the most abused substance; 77(29.2 %) followed by benzodiazepine; 34(12.9) across all ethnicities studied. Across all ethnicities, HPLC revealed that the Hausa drivers had the highest concentration of psychoactive substances in their urine samples. These findings, reiterates the need for the Nigerian anti-drug agency to develop new strategies in conducting a repressive drug war and extending the same to bus stations.

Religious Uses of Licit and Illicit Psychoactive Substances in a Branch of the Santo Daime Religion

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward MacRae
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Religious Groups ◽  
Santo Daime ◽  
Brazilian Society ◽  
Psychoactive Substance Use ◽  
Constant Source

The article deals with the different effects of tolerant and prohibitionist policies associated with psychoactive substance use in Brazil. Whereas the licit use of ayahuasca has been successfully incorporated into mainstream Brazilian society, the ritual use of cannabis by one of the Santo Daime religious groups has never been fully accepted and remains a constant source of problems for the ayahuasca churches, their followers and society at large.

scholarly journals Driving license regranting in DUI subjects: Road accident variables and predictive factors of substance use disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 003685042110337
Author(s):  
Elena Beccegato ◽  
Angelo Ruggeri ◽  
Massimo Montisci ◽  
Claudio Terranova
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Road Accident ◽  
Ethyl Glucuronide ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Driving License ◽  
The Road

A comparative case study (2017–2020) was conducted to identify demographic, social, medico-legal, and toxicological variables associated with non-fatal accidents in driving under the influence (DUI) subjects. A second aim was to identify the factors predictive of substance use disorders among subjects. Drivers charged with alcohol DUI (blood alcohol concentration (BAC) > 0.5) and/or psychoactive substance DUI were included; cases included those involved in an accident while intoxicated, and the comparison group included DUI offenders negative for road accident involvement. Significance was determined by chi-square and Mann–Whitney tests. To prevent confounding effects, a multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Our sample encompassed 882 subjects (381 in the case group and 501 in the comparison group). Parameters such as psychoactive substances and BAC at the time of the road crash/DUI and the day of the week, when subjects were involved in the road accident or found DUI, resulted in significant differences ( p < 0.01) between groups. The model’s independent variables of BAC > 1.5 g/L ( p = 0.013), BAC > 2.5 g/L ( p < 0.001), and concurrent alcohol and psychoactive substance use ( p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for an accident. Smoking >20 cigarettes/day was an independent risk factor for unfitness to drive ( p < 0.01). Unfitness to drive was based primarily on ethyl glucuronide levels >30 pg/mg. Our results suggest a detailed assessment of DUI subjects with variables associated with accidents (BAC > 1.5 g/L and concurrent intake of psychoactive substances). Hair analysis, including ethylglucuronide (EtG) concentration, should be always performed. Based on our results, nicotine use should be investigated in cases of driving license regranting.

Voltammetric profiling of new psychoactive substances: Piperazine derivatives

2021 ◽  
Vol 883 ◽  
pp. 115054
Author(s):  
D. Martins ◽  
E.M.P.J. Garrido ◽  
F. Borges ◽  
J.M.P.J. Garrido
Keyword(s):  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Piperazine Derivatives

scholarly journals Mortality involving New Psychoactive Substances across Europe, 2016- 2017

2021 ◽  
pp. 100016
Author(s):  
Hugo López-Pelayo ◽  
Julian Vicente ◽  
Ana Gallegos ◽  
Andrew McAuley ◽  
Yacin Buyuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances

scholarly journals Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and High-Sensitivity Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Screening of Classic Drugs and New Psychoactive Substances and Metabolites in Urine of Consumers

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 4000
Author(s):  
Emilia Marchei ◽  
Maria Alias Ferri ◽  
Marta Torrens ◽  
Magí Farré ◽  
Roberta Pacifici ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Gas Chromatography ◽  
Mobile Phase ◽  
High Performance ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Resolution Mass

The use of the new psychoactive substances is continuously growing and the implementation of accurate and sensible analysis in biological matrices of users is relevant and fundamental for clinical and forensic purposes. Two different analytical technologies, high-sensitivity gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) were used for a screening analysis of classic drugs and new psychoactive substances and their metabolites in urine of formed heroin addicts under methadone maintenance therapy. Sample preparation involved a liquid-liquid extraction. The UHPLC-HRMS method included Accucore™ phenyl Hexyl (100 × 2.1 mm, 2.6 μm, Thermo, USA) column with a gradient mobile phase consisting of mobile phase A (ammonium formate 2 mM in water, 0.1% formic acid) and mobile phase B (ammonium formate 2 mM in methanol/acetonitrile 50:50 (v/v), 0.1% formic acid) and a full-scan data-dependent MS2 (ddMS2) mode for substances identification (mass range 100–1000 m/z). The GC-MS method employed an ultra-Inert Intuvo GC column (HP-5MS UI, 30 m, 250 µm i.d, film thickness 0.25 µm; Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and electron-impact (EI) mass spectra were recorded in total ion monitoring mode (scan range 40–550 m/z). Urine samples from 296 patients with a history of opioid use disorder were examined. Around 80 different psychoactive substances and/or metabolites were identified, being methadone and metabolites the most prevalent ones. The possibility to screen for a huge number of psychotropic substances can be useful in suspected drug related fatalities or acute intoxication/exposure occurring in emergency departments and drug addiction services.

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