Say NO to drugs!
We’ve been hearing this message for a decades and since then, many new illegal drugs have emerged, and others have waned in popularity, but are still used.
The National Council for Substance Abuse clarifies for Better Health readers the different ‘new’ types that are in vogue today.
What are Synthetic Drugs?
The term synthetic drugs can refer to those drugs that are manufactured in a laboratory whether legal or clandestine (done in secret and illegal). A contrast can be made to those drugs that are derived from a natural source such as plant or animal material.
In this article we are focusing on those synthetic drugs also known as “designer drugs” or new psychoactive substances.
These drugs which are synthesised in clandestine laboratories are promoted and used in the illicit drug trade. Synthetic drugs are created to mimic the action of narcotics and other psychotropic substances.
psychotropic substances.
Categorisationof Synthetic Drugs Synthetic drugs can be classified in more than one way. They can be arranged according to their chemical groupings such as cathinones, piperazines, aminoindanes, phenethylamines, phencyclidine-type substances, tryptamines and others. Another way of categorising synthetic drugs is according to their psychoactive effects. Let’s examine the latter approach.
1. Stimulants
One of the main groups of synthetic drugs to be abused are those that have a stimulating effect on the Central Nervous System (CNS).One such category of drugs is the synthetic cathinones also known as “Bath Salts” which are stimulants chemically related to cathinone a substance found in the khat plant. The name “Bath Salts” is not to be confused with Epsom Salts and other products used in bathing.
Users can experience episodes of paranoia, hallucinations, increased friendliness, increased sex drive, panic attacks and excited delirium (extreme agitation and violent behaviour). Raised heart rate, increase blood pressure, and chest pain are other effects associated with stimulants.
Other categories of stimulants include phenethylamines, e.g., MDMA(Ecstasy),Bromo Dragonfly, and piperazines, e.g., BZP, PMA/PMMA. BZRPMA/PMMA.
2. Sedatives/hypnotics
While stimulants (also called “Uppers”) have a stimulating effect on the CNS, Sedatives/hypnotics, (sometimes referred to as “Downers”) have a depressing effect. For example, etizolam and flualprazolam mimic the action of benzodiazepines like Diazepam. Effects can include sedation, sleepiness, muscle relaxation, slurred speech, loss of consciousness and ataxia (loss of full control of bodily movements)
3. Opioids
Fentanyl and carfentanyl are dangerous and highly addictive examples of opioids. They mimic the action of morphine. These drugs can produce effects such as reduced feeling of pain, euphoria, relaxation, hallucinations, altered heart rate and seizures.
4. Synthetic cannabinoidreceptor agonists (SCRAs)
These drugs are designed to mimic the actions of cannabis. They are more potent and dangerous and are linked to manytoxic effects such as seizures, hypertension, and toxic effects on the heart. Examples include K2, and Spice.
Classic hallucinogens
5. Classic hallucinogens are one of two groups of hallucinogens. An example is 251-NBOMe. The use of these substances can result in altered awareness of surroundings. Effects include increased heart rate, increase in blood pressure, tremors, and physical weakness.
6. Dissociatives
Dissociatives are another type of hallucinogens. Effects include memory loss, social withdrawal, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, depression, and speech difficulties. E.g. PCP, Ketamine Ketamine
Conclusion
Legal pharmaceutical manufacturers undergo a rigorous regulatory process in the manufacture of their drugs to ensure the safety, efficacy and quality of the preparations produced. They undergo inspections for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) on a regular basis and are granted a licence to manufacture from the competent authorities. Issues such as sanitation, hygiene, labelling, and storage are just a few of the manyaspects that are brought to bear in the process.
The manufacture of synthetic drugs in clandestine labs is done secretly, to escape such regulatory requirements. Synthetic drugs produced in clandestine labs do not undergo quality control checks, resulting in the illegal production of dangerous substances which pose a public health threat. It is often not known what substances many of the final products actually contain. Labelling is often disguised to conceal the nature of the ingredients.
There is a saying that “First the man takes the drug, then the drug takes the man.” The psychotropic effects of synthetic drugs can be wide-ranging. Misuse and abuse of these substances is a dangerous exercise which can lead to addiction, ill health and possibly death; an exercise to be greatly discouraged.
Stay Healthy! Stay Safe!
References
Betterhealth.Channel (2020) Synthetic drugs (new psychoactive substances) [online] Available at https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.
au/health/HealthyLiving/synthetic-drugs [Accessed 3 February 2021].
Foundation for a Drug-Free World (2015) Truth About Synthetic Drugs booklet [online] Available at https://www.drugfreeworld.
org/request-info/truth-about-drugs-booklet.html?bk=synthetic.
[Accessed 5 February 2021].
Narconon.org (2021) Stimulants Among the New Synthetics[online] Available at https://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/stimulants/ synthetics.html. [Accessed 5 February 2021].
NIDA. 2020, July 6. Synthetic Cathinones (“Bath Salts”) DrugFacts.
[online] Available at https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/ drugfacts/synthetic-cathinones-bath-salts. [Accessed 4 February 2021]. UNODC (2020) Current NPS Threats Volume III, 2020. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
This article was submitted by the National Councilfor SubstanceAbuse
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