New psychoactive substances as adulterants of controlled drugs. A worrying phenomenon?
Drug testing and analysis January 1, 2014 Claudio Vidal Giné, Iván Fornís Espinosa, Mireia Ventura Vilamala 135 citations
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are increasingly used as adulterants in controlled drugs, a phenomenon that has received little attention. Analysis of 173 samples submitted to a drug checking service from 2009 to 2012 identified 24 different NPS—including phenethylamines, substituted cathinones, tryptamines, and methoxetamine—in products believed to be MDMA, amphetamine, ketamine, cocaine, mescaline, or methamphetamine. The most common NPS adulterant was 2C-B, followed by 4-FA. Sixty-nine distinct substance combinations were found: 20 involved a controlled drug mixed with an NPS, and 49 involved one or more NPS replacing the intended drug entirely. These combinations pose substantial risks to users, highlighting the need for better knowledge of their toxicity and the dangers of NPS entering illegal markets. Drug checking services and early-warning systems can help reduce harm.