Recreational Insanity With Katy MacLeod- Training and Outreach Coordinator Crew Page 1

Who are Crew? Page 2 Scottish charity established in 1992 Peer education and user involvement Crew Ethos: “Neither condemns or condones drug use.”

Who we work with Page 3

wwww.crew2000.org.uk 4

Drugs our clients present with Shop (harm reduction advice sessions) CounsellingFestival Crisis Intervention Outreach survey (drug used most often) Cannabis 34%Cannabis 57%Alcohol 75%Cannabis 42% General NPS 23%Cocaine 31%Ecstasy/MDMA 33%Alcohol 24% Alcohol 15%Alcohol 13%Unknown 10%MDMA/Ecstasy 14% MDMA 8%GHB/GBL 11%Cannabis 8%Cocaine 9% Cocaine 6%General NPS 10%Cocaine 6%Mephedrone 4% Steroids 3%Mephedrone 10%LSD/Mushrooms 6%Ketamine 2% Speed 10%Legal Highs 5%Valium 1% Mephedrone 2%MDMA 6%Benzos 3%Speed 1% Page 5

The return of MDMA! Source: Images courtesy of SCDEA

Ecstasy PMA and PMMA has been found in some ecstasy tablets AMT/5-IT recently found in Scottish seizures Source: Images courtesy of SCDEA

What are the key issues? Dose Duration of session Active substance often unknown Naive users Users with underlying health issues Poly drug use Page 8

History of research chemicals Various substances identified in Alexander Shulgin’s books have been a starting point for most research chemicals Page 9 Page 9

Cycle of recreational drugs legal to illegal ‘New drug’ Chemicals psychoactive properties discovered “Research chemical” small scale use and supply “Legal high” increase in popularity, use and supply “Illegal drug” drug is banned, underground use & supply begins Increase in popularity, use & supply, search for new chemical Attention of authorities, announcement of banning intention “ Dangerous drug ” sensational media coverage Page 10

New psychoactive substances Banning can have unintended effects! GHB >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>GBL Magic Mushrooms >>>>>>>Fly Agaric Mephedrone >>>>>>>>>> NRG 1 (Naphyrone) Naphyrone >>>>>>>>>>>>... MDAI etc.. Spice (synthetic cannabinoid >>>>Annihilation Ketamine>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Methoxetamine Page 11

Been here before? Page 12

“Meow meow” and the media

What does the future hold ? Page 14

Thanks for listening! Page 15

Contact details Page Katy MacLeod