Risk Reduction on New Drugs, 1 Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish Experience Iván Fornís Espinosa 1

2 1. The evolution of the use of new synthetic drugs in Spain. Information collected by Energy Control through its Drug Checking service and the online counseling service adressed to drug users. 2. Our proposal to provide objective information to the users of these drugs in order to conduct low-risk consumptions. Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience 2

What is ? 1. Risk reduction project in Spain. 2. Peer to peer actions. 3 What is ? 1. Risk reduction project in Spain. 2. Peer to peer actions. 3. Responsible drug use. 4. Resources: Development and dissemination of information Drug Checking service aimed at drug users. Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience 3

In recent years we have observed in our project three phenomena: 4 In recent years we have observed in our project three phenomena: 1. An increment in the number of samples of new drugs provided by the users. 2. An increment of types of new drugs, also called research chemicals or legal highs. 3. An increment in the number of requests for information about new drugs. Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience 4

Increment in the number of samples 5 Increment in the number of samples Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience 5

Increment of types of new drugs 6 Increment of types of new drugs Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience 6

Increment in the number of requests for information about new drugs. 7 Increment in the number of requests for information about new drugs. Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience 7

Peculiarities of our country on New Drugs 8 Peculiarities of our country on New Drugs 1. In Spain there hasn´t been a big expansion of the use of new drugs. 2. Little presence of the smart-shop phenomenon (or head-shop). The most important distribution channel has been on the Internet and grow-shops. 3. Adaptation of the comercial product names to spanish topics such as Mazazo, Fuego, Cocopollo, etc. Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience 8

Peculiarities of our country on New Drugs 9 Peculiarities of our country on New Drugs 4. we began to observe the presence of new drugs as adulterants of illicit drugs Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience Sold as composition Samples Ecstasy pill 2C-B 53 2C-I 4 Ecstasy (crystal) Methylone 12 Ecstasy (pill, crystal) Mephedrone 11 Cocaína 2 Methamphetamine Ketamine Methoxetamine 6 9

1010 Our approach 1. Development and dissemination of update and objective information about risk reduction on new drugs: Scientific articles Trip reports and personal communication Give information in recreational places Give information in our drug checking services Give information through web, forums and social networks Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience 10

1111 Our approach 2. Direct communication to general drug users about the emergence of new drugs as adulterants of other drugs to inform them (ex. PMMA in legal highs). Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience 11

1212 Our approach 3. Notice the proper agencies of the findings, especially the - EMCDDA - Ministry of Health - regional councils Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience 12

1313 Our approach 4. Updating the analysis service to expand its capacity to detect new substances in timeframes as short as possible. 5. Training project staff to have updated knowledge as possible of the phenomenon. Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience 13

Conclusions (1) 1414 Energy Control has only had access to samples provided voluntarily by consumers; this has allowed us to observe particularly the phenomenon of adulteration of other drugs with these new compounds. Studies of new drugs, which keep track of the products sold in stores or online head-shops, have failed to detect this phenomenon. This could add risk to consumers because these people do not take precautions to consume. Thus, having information of samples submitted by users becomes a source of invaluable information complementary to information obtained by other means (for example, direct purchases or police seizures). Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience 14

Conclusions (2) 1515 In this sense, having services such as drug checking service, a web-site for drug users or be present in recreational contexts allows us direct contact with consumers and work specifically with these aspects as the information on these new drugs and taking care strategies and the associated demystify certain beliefs such as greater security in front of these illegal drugs. Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience 15

Conclusions (3) 1616 The phenomenon of new drugs is extremely dynamic and is able to rapidly introduce new substances on the market. This causes, at times, when we are able to prepare and distribute updated information about these new drugs, these leaving the market and appear new ones. This is produced by the application of prohibitive legislation on new drugs as the only way to address the problem. Risk Reduction on New Drugs, a Spanish experience 16

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 17