Legal Highs in Spain, by Energy Control July 2011

Transcription

1 English translation Legal Highs in Spain, by Energy Control July 2011 In recent years, consumption of a group of substances not subject to drug control regulations and sold in different forms (powder, tablets, capsules...) over the Internet has become popular in different parts of the world. In the vast majority of cases, the full composition of these products is not described (especially the presence of psychoactive substances), but they include cautions that they are not suitable for human consumption. This avoids the obligation to submit these products to health and safety control. The consumption of so-called "legal highs" is not new. Prior to 2006, it was limited to a small number of consumers and, in most cases, the products were combinations of herbal products, usually stimulants, intended to mimic the effect of illegal substances such as cocaine, amphetamine or ecstasy. However, since that year, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction has called attention to the synthetic cannabinoids marketed as "legal highs", and has accumulated evidence of a whole range of psychoactive compounds that are well received by recreational users who want to test new substances or who want to replace their favorite one, as may have been the case with mephedrone in the United Kingdom (Measham, Moore, Newcombe and Welch, 2010). The risks associated with consuming these substances are largely unknown. However, evidence of certain problems that the people who consume tend to experience has slowly accumulated. In this regard, a potential source of problems is the knowledge that these people have in relation to the exact composition of the products they buy, as well as dosage regimens to be taken to lower consumption and the risk of potential interactions or interactions that would discourage use. Instead, many of these products are called by different names, some which refer to the effects of illegal drugs like MDMA, cocaine or amphetamine (K Powder, Sextacy, X4 Ecstacy, Speed Rush Super E. Skunk). At the end of 2010, the analysis service ABD-Energy Control began to receive a series of products with names such as Ivory Wave, Vanilla Sky, Mojo, Charge +, Freedom, Skunk, etc. sold as bath salts, incense, bong cleaners or as collector's items. In all them a warning that they are not for human consumption appears, but buyers know they are sold to be consumed by snorting, taken orally or smoked to achieve psychoactive effects. In most cases, a description of the full composition is not given, nor is there a warning of the presence of one or more psychoactive substances, or the amount thereof, or recommended dosage, contraindications, risks, and so on. We were able to analyze 28 samples, coming from all over Spanish, with thin layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC / MS) and resonance nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Analysis has sought to reveal psychoactive substances and has not considered the analysis of any other

2 substances such as minerals, vitamins, sugars, salts, etc. The following table provides the results grouped according to product name. One aspect that deserves special attention is the variability in the composition of the same product sold under different times. This is the case, for example, of samples with the name Charge + or Ivory Wave. In the frst case, samples tested in February 2011 contained 4-FMC and lidocaine (one of them also contained caffeine); in April they contained MDPV and lidocaine. In the second, the three samples contained three different compositions: 1,1-diphenylprolinol and MDPV, MDPV alone, and MDPV and caffeine. Table 1. Trade name, appearance and composition of the samples by Energy Control Commercial Name Form Composition Ivory Wave Powder 1,1-diphenylprolinol, MDPV Powder MDPV Powder Caffeine, MDPV Charge + Powder 4- FMC, lidocaine Powder 4-FMC, caffeine, lidocaine Powder Caffeine, MDPV Pink Champagnes Capsule Caffeine, unknown substance Capsule Caffeine, unknown substance, TFMPP Benzo Fury Powder 1,1-diphenylprolinol Shrooms Capsule BZP, unknown substance, TFMPP NRG Natural Powder Caffeine Mitseez Capsule Butylone, caffeine, unknown substance Vanilla Sky Powder MDPV, synthesis byproducts Ocean Snow Powder Butylone, lidocaine, methylone Sextacy Powder MDPV Head Trip Dried Herbs JWH-108, JWH-073 Freedom Dried Herbs JWH-210, JWH-359 Skunk Dried Herbs JWH-081 Mojo Powder 3,4-DMMC, caffeine Yayo Hard Powder 2-piperidine-1-phenylbutan-1-one, 4-FMC, procaine, 2 unknown substances Coco Pollo Powder 4-MEC Euforia Powder 4-MEC, caffeine, lidocaine Unknown Powder 4-FMC, caffeine, lidocaine, MDPV Powder Caffeine, 2 unknown substances Powder Caffeine, dimethylcathinone Powder Caffeine, methylone Powder MDAI

3 Conclusions The "Legal Highs" consumed in Spain are substances with psychoactive chemicals that have some very powerful effects, both in intensity and duration. The vast majority of the compounds detected are substances that have not been tested or seen human trials, adverse effects are unknown and/or toxic in the short, medium and long term. It is very common to fnd mixtures of several psychoactive compounds. This situation makes it more diffcult to predict the occurrence of adverse effects. At no time in the packaging of these substances do active ingredients, dosage ranges, cautions and contraindications appear. Powder form of these substances tries to imitate powdered stimulants such as speed or cocaine. The addition of local anesthetics (lidocaine, procaine...) seeks to emulate the effects of numbness in the mouth or nostrils that is produced by cocaine hydrochloride. Capsule or tablet forms are trying to imitate ecstasy and other drugs that are used orally in recreational settings. As with the powdered form, various substances are mixed. Dried herb (herbal incense) forms attempt to mimic cannabis. The herbs are infused with synthetic cannabinoid compounds that are potent synthetic chemicals that usually lead to more powerful and lasting effects than that of cannabis. Dried herb products have also been shown to produce greater adverse effects and even some emergencies have occurred after administration of these products. A brand is not indicative of a particular composition, which changes over time. Thus, prior consumption of a product does not serve as a reference to predict its effects. ABD-Energy Control Since work on risk reduction and responsible consumption. We believe that both factors can not occur with the use of substances for which no human research data exists and stress the risk of substance use without having the necessary information. For more information please see: Abd_ong # Legalhighs Photos: For interviews, documents and artwork can contact: ABD - Communications Department Brigitte Vasallo comunicación@abd-ong.org Tel

4 Press conference Barcelona, 13 of July 2011 Felisa: welcome and ABD presentation Josep: EC, analysis service and objectives presentation Núria: Report presentation 1. Legal Highs: What are they? Legal Highs are psychoactive chemical compounds, some very potent both in intensity as well as duration Main characteristics: Generally they are sold online as bath salts, bong cleaners, incenses, fertilizers or collector's items. The composition of the substances is never written on the labels or on the supplier website, and neither is there any dosage information, precautions or contraindications. They always include a warning that it is not for human consumption. In this way sanitary controls are avoided. Nevertheless, contradicting to the prior statement, they also include the warning that it is only for people over 18 and some even warn about leaving it away from children's reach. Not controlled (in principle) The overall majority of the detected compounds are new substances that have not yet been tested in humans and therefore their adverse and/or toxic effects in short and long term are unknown. It is a rising phenomenon

5 2. Results At the end of 2010 we started receiving Legal High samples from different parts of the Spanish territory (where EC is located). 28 samples were analyzed: 21 different compounds detected and 8 unknown substances (highlighting the need for further investigating chemical structures) Presentation in form of powder (71%) is an attempt to imitate stimulants such as speed or cocaine. The addition of local anesthetics (lidocaine, procaine) tries to emulate the numbing effect felt in the mouth or nasal cavities produced by cocaine hydrochloride. 75% of these samples contained some substance in the cathinone family (butylone, methylone, MDPV,...) Presentation in capsule form (14%) or pills (4%) attempts to imitate ecstasy and other drugs consumed orally in recreational environments. Similarly to powder presentation, there are several mixed substances. Most samples contained substances belonging to the piperazine family (stimulant, empathogen and/or hallucinogen effects, depending on dosage and the mix of substances present) Presentation in form of dried herbs (11%), herbal incenses, tries to imitate marijuana. The herbs are impregnated with potent synthetic cannabinoids. In general they result in more potent and longer lasting effects than marijuana itself. Also it was observed that there are more adverse effects and even some medical emergencies after the administration of these products. All the analyzed samples contained one or several of the synthetic cannabinoids of the JWH group (018, 073, 210, 359). IMPORTANT: It is very common to find a mix of several psychoactive compounds (2 or more). This increases the difficulty to predict adverse effects. One brand or product name is not an accurate indication of a specific composition, since the content can vary over time. As such, having previously consumed a product does not serve to predict the effects of another batch sold under the same name. The legality of these substances may vary depending on country. None of

6 the mentioned compounds are controlled in Spain except BZP which is controlled since The legality of said products or the fact that one can obtain them easily does not mean they are safer than illegal drugs. 3. Recommendations Users : Not knowing which product is being consumed is a potential source of problems. The serious adverse effects being registered are deeply related with this lack of knowledge and might have been avoided with a previous informational work and research. Because of this, we recommend: I. Analyze before consuming (always, remembering that the same brand is no guarantee about the chemical composition) II. Increase precautions taken and be prudent when consuming these products. We believe it is necessary to eliminate certain myths and misinformed ideas that are present amongst some users: -The fact that its called legal may mislead some users into thinking it is a product with guarantees and no risks. -There have been products sold as legal high that contained controlled products. Therefore, there are legal risks for users. -The Legal Highs are advertised as legal alternatives to controlled drugs, which can mislead users into adopting a similar usage pattern. Dosages, security margins and effects are different and thus we recommend obtaining as much information to reduce risks, both for Legal Highs as well as for other controlled drugs. Institutions / Governments I. Necessity to monitor and follow the evolution of such products. II. The fast apparition of this type of compounds in the market challenges the detection and analysis systems, due to the difficulty in identifying some of these compounds. Therefore investments are necessary in the investigation to understand the chemical structures of the compounds that appear on the market. III. Parallel to this, it is necessary to investigate different aspects of these substances: dosages, wanted effects, secondary effects, toxicity and risks, contraindications,... It is of vital importance to know the pharmacological properties of these substances in order to correctly

7 inform users. IV. Control through laws as sole measure to approach this phenomenon is inefficient. The case of mephedrone (controlled in Spain since march 2011) or of the synthetic cannabinoids has shown the very small impact that these kind of measures had, either because they continue being sold or because they are replaced by other substances. As such, we invite governments and institutions to get to know and debate alternative measures. V. Our proposal is that these substances are included in a new category that allows their purchase with sanitary controls so that users can obtain a product with guarantees and information, and in parallel that they are researched. Conclusion From Energy Control, we consider the use of substances about which there is little or no scientific data in humans can be specially dangerous for one's health. Drugs such as cocaine or cannabis are known for centuries and practically everything is known about them, which allows informing the consumer about forms of ingestion and dosing, diminishing risks and possible interactions or contraindications. More research and a special care is required with Legal Highs.