Transcript DRUGS ACTION “New Psychoactive Substances”.

DRUGS ACTION
“New Psychoactive Substances”.
& Overdose Training
Gillian Maclean [email protected]
Drugs Action
7 Hadden Street
Aberdeen Tel: 01224 577120
HELPLINE 01224 594700
www.drugsaction.co.uk
New Psychoactive Substances.
• Definition (but by no means definitive)
“ Legal Highs are substances made from assorted
herbs, herbal extracts and ‘research chemicals’,
which emulate the effects of some illegal drugs
such as, Cannabis, LSD, Cocaine or others. These
substances are not currently controlled by the
Misuse of Drugs or Medicine Acts”
Arthur and Grunert 2005
NPS Packaging
ALL PACKAGES WILL STATE :
• Not for Human Consumption.
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SOLD AS :
Herbal Incense,
Bath Salts,
Plant Food,
Novelty Item Only,
For Research Use Only.
etc. etc.
NPS Packets
Current Legislation
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Misuse of Drugs Act (1971)
Medicines Act (1968)
Poisons act (1972)
Consumer Protection Legislation
Common Law
Temporary Class Drug Orders (2012)
Alexander Shulgin
Mephedrone Video
651 Websites in Europe
EMCDDA 2014
Online Purchase
the drugs wheel.com
NPS Drug Groups
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STIMULANTS ( mimic; Cocaine, Amphetamines)
EMPATHOGENS ( mimic; Ecstasy)
PSYCHEDELICS ( mimic; LSD, Magic Mushrooms)
DISSOCIATIVES ( mimic; Ketamine )
DEPRESSANTS ( mimic; Valium, Librium )
OPIODS
( mimic; Heroin, Methadone )
CANNABINOIDS ( mimic; Strong Cannabis )
“CREW 2000”
2011
Concerns !
• With the continuing release of new psychoactive substances on the drug
market, there is concern that new or obscure substances that have
contributed to deaths may escape detection.
• The high potency of some synthetic substances further complicates
their detection, as they will be present only at very low concentrations in
the blood.
• The emergence of highly potent synthetic substances also has implications
for law enforcement, as even small quantities of these drugs can be
converted into multiple doses
EMCDDA 14
Commonly Used NPS UK.
Cannabinoids 3rd Generation
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2-nel / sts - 135
5f – akb – 48
5f – pb 22
akb – 48
fub – pb – 22
( SOMETIMES THESE CHEMICALS ARE MIXED TOGETHER and SOLD AS BLENDS )
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In the first six months of 2013, eighteen countries reported more than
1 800 seizures of synthetic cannabinoids. The largest seizures were reported by
Spain (20 kg) and Finland (7 kg).
S.C. Adverse Effects
• reported adverse effects include agitation, seizures,
hypertension, emesis (vomiting) and hypokalemia (low
potassium levels). researchers have concluded that ‘legal
highs’ containing synthetic cannabinoids are potentially more
harmful than cannabis
• associated with psychiatric symptoms, including psychosis
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investigations underway in the US regarding links between
the use and acute kidney injury
EMCDDA 2013
Homemade Synthetic
Cannabis
Marshmallow Leaf
Acetone
Synthetic Cannabis Powder
Elliot
• WASTED! Pandoras Box trip report legal high YouTube [360p].mp4
“Withdrawal” and “Comedown”
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Feeling anxious
Feeling shaky
Can’t think of
anything else
• Feel depressed,
hopeless
• Feeling sweaty
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Agitation
Paranoia
Fatigue
Irritability
Insomnia
Panic Attacks
Brain Flashes
Hypnic Jerks
Leeds Addiction Unit 1996
Incite client 2012
Treatment
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Drug counselling.
Residential treatment.
Fellowship and self-help.
Alternative therapies such as auricular
acupuncture.
Sleep management.
Clinical Prescribing (GP’s)
Tapering strategies.
(especially synthetic cannabis)
Harm Reduction
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Advice around administration route
Test dosing and dosage information
Avoid poly drug use including alcohol
Consider “Set and Setting”
Having a “sitter”
Think about “safe sex”
Getting home safely
Going to sleep on their side
Overdose : Definition
• “Use of any drug(s) in such quantities that acute adverse
physical or mental effects occur. It can be deliberate or
accidental; lethal or non lethal”
Overdose: Main Risk Factors
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Tolerance
Injecting drugs
Mixing drugs - primarily depressants
Longer history of drug use
Depression and low mood
• Contd.
Contd.
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Poor physical health
Using alone
Homeless user
Not being in treatment
Significant life events
Signs of NPS overdose
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Dizziness,
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Dehydration,
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Rapid heart rate,
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Seizures,
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Severe nausea and vomiting,
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Hyperthermia,
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Serotonin Syndrome
(very high body temperature, overheating)
High Risk Times
• Difficult life events – bereavement, loss of contact with children,
separation / divorce
• Poor emotional health
• Weekends, festive period, leaving home
• Using alone
• Relapse
• Isolation
• Buying from a different source
Dealing with an Overdose
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Don’t inflict pain
Don’t give other drugs e.g. stimulants
Don’t put in bath / shower
Don’t walk the person around
Don’t leave person on their own
Recovery position / CPR
Phone 999 without delay
Dealing with overdose?
Common myths
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DON’T
Attempt to walk casualty around
Inflict pain
Inject stimulants
Inject salt water
Place in cold bath / shower
Insert ice / ice cream in rectum
DRUGS ACTION
“New Psychoactive Substances”.
& Overdose Training
Gillian Maclean
[email protected]
Drugs Action
7 Hadden Street
Aberdeen Tel: 01224 577120
HELPLINE 01224 594700
www.drugsaction.co.uk