Drug Testing and Analysis
July 1, 2014
Simon D. Brandt, Leslie A. King, Michael Evans‐brown
164 citations
The new drug phenomenon over the past decade has been driven by the commodification of a wide range of psychoactive substances not controlled under drug laws, sold openly as 'legal highs', 'bath salts', or 'research chemicals' by entrepreneurs and criminal groups, especially via the Internet. In Europe, the rate of appearance of new psychoactive substances (NPS) averaged one new substance every 5–6 days, with 81 detected in 2013, 74 in 2012, 49 in 2011, and 41 in 2010. The number of Internet shops selling these substances rose from 170 in 2010 to 693 in 2012 and 651 in 2013. Many substances were originally synthesized years ago, some as failed pharmaceuticals, and their re-discovery has fueled the market.
Drug Testing and Analysis
July 1, 2011
Leslie A. King, Andrew T. Kicman
99 citations
This special issue introduces new psychoactive substances (NPS), formerly called 'designer drugs' or 'legal highs', defined as narcotic or psychotropic drugs not scheduled under UN conventions but posing comparable public health threats. The article traces their evolution from 1980s fentanyl derivatives and MPTP-contaminated α-prodine causing Parkinson's disease, through phenethylamines like MDMA and hallucinogens, to piperazines, cathinones (e.g., mephedrone), synthetic cannabinoids ('Spice'), and diverse recent compounds. Over half of the approximately 170 substances reported to the EMCDDA since 1997 appeared after 2006. Manufacturing shifted from clandestine labs to legitimate chemical suppliers, with internet sales. The authors note that little is known about their harmful properties, and uncontrolled experimentation risks future public health crises.
BMJ
May 2, 2023
Leslie A. King, David Nutt, David E. Nichols
1 citation
The authors argue that regulations governing clinical research on Schedule 1 drugs, which are classified as having high abuse potential and no accepted medical use, should be reassessed. They contend that such classification unnecessarily impedes scientific investigation into substances with therapeutic potential, such as certain psychedelics. The piece advocates for a review of the scheduling system to facilitate research that could lead to medical treatments, while maintaining appropriate controls to prevent misuse.