PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) in “legal highs” in Spain Iván Fornís Espinosa 1

ENERGY CONTROL ABD (Welfare and development association) Drug prevention program. Risk reduction strategies. Nightlife sectors. Peer community group interventions. Training for nightlife and health professionals. Publication and promotion of specific prevention materials. New media tools and guidelines. Development of drug checking programs. PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) in “legal Highs” in Spain. 2

DRUG CHECKING Objectives PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) in “legal Highs” in Spain. 1. Establish contact with drug users with the objective to provide them with information about the composition of their drugs. 2. Improve our knowledge about the situation of the illegal drug market and early detection of new trends. 3. Make this information available to all stakeholders involved. 3

RED DOVES At the end of July of 2011 Legal High named Red Doves Grow-Shop in Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Island) Steep climb in body temperature and sweating PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) in “legal Highs” in Spain. 4

PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) in “legal Highs” in Spain. The sample was analysed by GC/MS. Composition: 4-FMC (4-fluoromethcathinone)=flephedrone MDPPP (3,4-methylenedioxy-α-pyrrolidinopropiophenone) PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) Unknown compound The active dose of PMMA is very close to fatal dose. Hyperthermia, sweating, rhabdomyolysis and death. The mixture of these compounds can cause unpredictable and unknown effects. PMMA MDPP 4-FMC 5

PMMA other warnings 49 deaths in Europe and 1 in Australia during 2011, mostly in Norway. Involving legal highs products and tablets of the black market. PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) in “legal Highs” in Spain. www.sdea.police.uk http://ewsd.wiv-isp.be/Main/PMMA%20alert%20by%20EMCDDA.aspx 6

Actions to inform stakeholders The users 1. The user in Palma de Mallorca 2. The web (www.energycontrol.org), our fan page Facebook, Twitter, our internet forum, and other Spanish online drug forums. 3. Erowid PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) in “legal Highs” in Spain. 7

Actions to inform stakeholders The sellers and supplier 1. The Grow-shop in Palma de Mallorca 2. The supplier (AM-HI-CO) 3. The Grow-shops in Spain throught two cannabis related magazines (Cañamo and Cannabis Magazine) and the Spanish Cannabis Federation (FAC) The administration 1. The National Plan on Drugs of the Ministry of Health of Spain (PNSD) 2. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drugs Adicction (EMCDDA) PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) in “legal Highs” in Spain. 8

Results The grow-shop withdrew the product from selling. AM-HI-CO told us that withdrew her PMMA's products stocking.Curently these brands are being sold in the AM-HI-CO site (AM-HI-CO was selling 20 brand with PMMA. (E=XTC, Mind Candy, Xtacy Ultra, Red Doves and Red Doves Ultra, etc.). PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) in “legal Highs” in Spain. 9

The media August 7th the news agency Europa Press. Spain, Portugal, Italy, Honduras, Venezuela, Argentina, etc. 76 newspapers. 100 on-line articles. 7 radio networks. 8 televisions. The news agency EFE. 7.400 spanish results of "Alerta PMMA en Doves Red" in Google PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) in “legal Highs” in Spain. 10

Conclusions about this case It´s very important to monitor the content of legal highs and to inform the users. Working with the sellers. Working with the suppliers The media can create unncesary alarm PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) in “legal Highs” in Spain. 11

The big question The big question is why someone decided one day to introduce PMMA in legal highs? PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) in “legal Highs” in Spain. 12

Thank you Iván Fornís Espinosa Energy Control – ABD PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) in “legal Highs” in Spain. Iván Fornís Espinosa Energy Control – ABD analisis@energycontrol.org info@enrgycontrol.org 13