Designer drugs on the Internet : a phenomenon out-of-control? : The emergence of hallucinogenic drug Bromo-Dragonfly

Copyright Bentham Science PublishersBased on the material available in both the scientific literature and on the web, the present paper provides an updated pharmacological, chemical, toxicological and behavioural overview of Bromo-Dragonfly (1-(8-bromobenzo[1,2- b;4,5-b']difuran-4-yl)-2-aminopropane; 'B-fly'). B-Fly is a powerful, long lasting, LSD-like, hallucinogenic drug, which has been associated with a number of acute intoxications and fatalities in a number of countries. A critical discussion of the potential of misuse of B-fly but also of the methodological limitations, which are intrinsically associated with the analysis of online, non-peer reviewed, material, is presented. It is concluded that the availability of online information on novel psychoactive drugs, such as B-fly, may constitute a public health challenge. Better international collaboration levels may be needed to tackle this novel and fast growing phenomenonPeer reviewe

Promoting innovation and excellence to face the rapid diffusion of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in the EU : the outcomes of the ReDNet project

Objectives: The recent emergence of new psychoactive compounds (NPS) has raised prominent challenges in the fields of drug policy, substance use research, public health and service provision. The Recreational Drugs European Network (ReDNet) project, funded by the European Commission, was implemented to improve the information stream to young people and professionals about effects/risks of NPS identifying online products and disseminating relevant information through technological tools. Methods: Regular multilingual qualitative assessments of websites, drugs fora and other online resources were carried out using the Google search engine in 8 languages from collaborating countries. These included: the UK, Norway, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Italy and Spain. Products were tested and prevention messages were developed and disseminated via technological tools such as interactive websites, SMS alert, social networking (Facebook, Twitter), Multimedia (You Tube), Smartphone applications (iPhone), and virtual learning environments (Second Life). Results: The ReDNet project established itself as the first Europe-wide prevention programme designed for NPS based on the efficacy of novel ICT-based forms of intervention. More than 650 NPS products and combinations were identified; relevant information was disseminated to target population and advice was given to both EU/ international agencies and national policy makers. Conclusions: Web monitoring activities are essential for mapping the diffusion of NPS and the use of technological tools can be successfully incorporated in specific prevention programmes. Furthermore, the involvement of multi-disciplinary international partnerships was and continues to be fundamental for responding to such a prominent challenge.Peer reviewedSubmitted Versio

Az elektronikus prevenció lehetőségei az új (szintetikus) drogok használatának megelőzésében : a Rekreációs Drogok Európai Hálózatának (Recreational Drugs European Network) bemutatása

Peer reviewe

New psychoactive substancesthe youth and professionals informational needs

(translated from Polish) The study conducted in the frame of the RedNet project among health professionals dealing with drug users (N=124) and youth population (N=716) was aimed at assessment of the level of knowledge about new psychoactive substances (NPS), informational needs on NPS and preferred method for the dissemination of information. Data collected in Poland showed that youth rated their knowledge on NPS higher than health professionals as approximately 25% of young respondents and 5% of health professionals reported that their knowledge on NPS is “very good”. Moreover, approximately 90% of young people and 60% of health professionals heard/read about or had known somebody who tried Salvia divinorum, Spice and mephedrone. Most of the professionals (98%) and more than half young people (59%) would like to receive up-to-date information on NPS. For both groups of respondents following information were most often perceived as important in getting an understanding/knowledge on NSP: desired psychoactive effects, adverse side effects, modalities of use and key points/overview. In general, health professional rated importance of particular topics higher than young people. Preferred method of delivery information on NPS for both groups of respondents were: e-mail and Internet. More health professionals than young respondents favoured electronic newsletter, but more young people preferred Facebook as the method of delivery information on NPS.Peer reviewe

Phenomenon of new drugs on the Internet : the case of ketamine derivative methoxetamine

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.On the basis of the material available both in the scientific literature and on the web, this paper aims to provide a pharmacological, chemical and behavioural overview of the novel compound methoxetamine. This is a dissociative drug related to ketamine, with a much longer duration of action and intensity of effects. A critical discussion of the availability of information on the web of methoxetamine as a new recreational trend is here provided. Those methodological limitations, which are intrinsically associated with the analysis of online, non-peer reviewed, material, are here discussed as well. It is concluded that the online availability of information on novel psychoactive drugs, such as methoxethanine, may constitute a pressing public health challenge. Better international collaboration levels and novel forms of intervention are necessary to tackle this fast-growing phenomenon. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Peer reviewe