Identifying the array of chemicals now being sold over the internet as recreational drugs is a daunting task. But how much of a risk do these substances actually pose? In its report in February, the International Narcotic Control Board (INCB) declared that designer drug production…
Tag Archive for New Psychoactive Substances
Druglink interview 2011 – Party politics by Harry Shapiro
Maryon Stewart could never have foreseen she would become embroiled in the future of British drug policy. And neither would she have chosen it. One Sunday lunchtime, in April 2009, she received a knock on the door. A police officer told her that her 21-year old daughter, Hester, had died…
Druglink/DrugWatch factsheet 2012 – Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is used in surgery for its mild anaesthetic and analgesic effects and is one of the safest medical inhalants/anaesthetics, because it has little effect on critical body functions – which it is why it is a…
Druglink news item 2012 – New drugs strain old law by Jeremy Sare
It isn’t just drug reform organisations that question whether the Misuse of Drug Act can cope with the flood of legal highs New drugs strain old law (PDF)
Druglink/DrugWatch factsheet 2012 – Methoxetamine
Methoxetamine is chemically similar to ketamine. Some sources suggest it was initially synthesised by an underground chemist for treatment of chronic pain, but it has been present on the designer drug market since 2010 and use has increased in 2011. Factsheet – Methoxetamine (PDF)…
Druglink/DrugWatch factsheet 2012 – Black mamba
Black Mamba is the brand name for a light green herbal product that tests show contains the synthetic cannabinoid AM-2201 and Oleamide. Factsheet – Black mamba (PDF) Please note that since 26 May 2016, Black Mamaba has been controlled under the Psychoactive Substances…
Druglink/DrugWatch factsheet 2013 – Mephedrone
Mephedrone is the most widely used of a range of synthetic cathinones that have similar stimulant and entactogenic (‘loved up’) effects to ecstasy. Its effects, particularly when injected, have been compared to cocaine. It is pharmacologically related to cathinone – an alkaloid found in the ‘khat’ plant (Catha…
Druglink article 2013 – Meph lining by Michael Bird
In Romania, following a switch from heroin to legal highs among injecting drug users, new cases of HIV have boomed. Meph lining (PDF)
Druglink/DrugWatch factsheet 2013 – Benzo Fury
Analysis of Benzo Fury usually finds it to contain the chemical 6-(2-aminopropyl) benzofuran (6-APB) or its related isomer 5-APB but using standard analysis methods it is impossible to differentiate between 6-APB and 5-APB. Little is known about the pharmacological or toxicological differences between the two isomers if any.…
Druglink article 2013 – Artificial paradise by Mike Power
This year New Zealand introduced radical new drug laws in an attempt to deal with the confusion over legal highs. Mike Power on a brave experiment that hopes to marry business, science and politics. Artificial paradise (PDF)