Background Although illegal drug use has largely been declining in the UK over the past decade, this period has witnessed the emergence of a range of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) (‘legal highs’). These are new, mostly synthetic, substances that mimic the effects of existing drugs). Despite there being many causes for concern in relation to NPS, there has been little prior study of the burden associated with their use in public health terms. Clarity is lacking on research priorities in this rapidly developing literature. Objectives To inform the development of public health intervention research on NPS by reviewing existing data on their use, associated problems and potential responses to such problems. Design A scoping review and narrative synthesis of selected bodies of evidence was undertaken to summarise and evaluate what is known about NPS use and the related harms of, and responses to, such use. Relevant literature was identified from electronic databases (covering January 2006 to June 2016 inclusive), Google (Google Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA), relevant websites and online drug forums and by contacting experts. Articles were included if they were primary studies, secondary studies involving the analysis and interpretation of primary research or discussion papers. A conceptual framework postulating an evidence-informed public health approach to NPS use in the UK was developed through a pragmatic literature review, the iterative development of concepts and finalisation in light of the results from the empirical review work. The process also involved feedback from various stakeholders. Research recommendations were developed from both strands of work. Results A total of 995 articles were included in the scoping review, the majority of which related to individual-level health-related adverse effects attributable to NPS use. The prevalence of lifetime NPS use varied widely between (e.g. with higher prevalence in young males) and within population subgroups. The most commonly reported adverse effects were psychiatric/other neurological, cardiovascular, renal and gastrointestinal manifestations, and there is limited evidence available on responses. In these and other respects, available evidence is at an early stage of development. Initial evidence challenges the view that NPS should be treated differently from other illicit drugs. The conceptual framework indicated that much of the evidence that would be useful to inform public health responses does not yet exist. We propose a systems-based prevention approach that develops existing responses, is multilevel and life course informed in character, and emphasises commonalities between NPS and other legal and illegal drug use. We make 20 recommendations for research, including nine key recommendations. Limitations Scoping reviews do not interrogate evidence in depth, and the disjunction between the scoping review and the conceptual framework findings is worthy of careful attention. Conclusions Key research recommendations build on those that have previously been made and offer more evidence-based justification and detail, as previous recommendations have not yet been acted on. The case for decision-making on commissioning new research based on these recommendations is both strong and urgent. Future work The validity of recommendations generated through this project could be enhanced via further work with research commissioners, policy-makers, researchers and the public. Study registration The systematic review element of this study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42016026415. Funding The National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research programme.

534 – Designer drugs: psychoactive effects and diffusion in an italian university population

The Novel Psychoactive Substances in the UK Project: empirical and conceptual review work to produce research recommendations.

This text discusses the dezomorphine - a drug better known as crocodile. Use
 of this home made substance has reached epidemic range since 1990’s in
 Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Our analysis deals with this particular
 space. That is, considering the modest expert literature regarding the
 socio-demographic features of consumers, occurrence pervasiveness and its
 etiology, we have found data from the countries born after the Soviet Russia
 breakdown, which have obviously been the hardest hit by it. The first aim of
 our analyses was to: provide the summary of expert findings about the
 pervasiveness, crocodile consumers and assumptions regarding the etiology.
 The second aim aroused from the first: we tried to discuss and illustrate
 potential ethological factors connected with crocodile use initiation. Two
 sociological theories have framed the theoretical outline: theory of
 dislocation and critical criminology theory, which emphasize the significance
 of socalled social breakdown - unforeseen and large social changes that
 initiated deviant behavior, including addiction. Apart from summary of
 experts analysis of crocodile we have offered official statistics about
 social factors seen to have important role in development and speeding of
 this particular drug addiction. The findings of this, conditionally called,
 meta analysis are contradictory for large part depends on methodological
 difficulties and lack of adequate information. Summed up the findings point
 to the need for better methodological design and extended crocodile addiction
 research with attention drown to social context and cultural features of the
 countries emerged after the former Soviet Union breakdown.

/pdf/social-factors-that-contributed-to-the-evolvement-and-54uk9dcuqi.pdf

534 – Designer drugs: psychoactive effects and diffusion in an italian university population

Citations

The Novel Psychoactive Substances in the UK Project: empirical and conceptual review work to produce research recommendations.

Social factors that contributed to the evolvement and spreading of crocodile addiction at area of former soviet states

Related Papers (5)

Deconstructing Designer Drugs.

Psychoactive plants used in designer drugs as a threat to public health

Drugs of Abuse and the Internet

New recreational drugs and the primary care approach to patients who use them

Overview of the major classes of new psychoactive substances, psychoactive effects, analytical determination and conformational analysis of selected illegal drugs.