Dr. Paul Skett Forensic Pharmacologist Glasgow Expert Witness Service Legal Highs Dr. Paul Skett Forensic Pharmacologist Glasgow Expert Witness Service

Outline Legal Highs – What are they? Legal Highs – What do they do? Legal Highs – toxicity? What is the problem?

Legal Highs – What are they? Legal Highs are substances that mimic the effects of illegal drugs of abuse but are not (at present) covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Substances that mimic heroin, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines, ecstasy, benzodiazepines (e.g. diazepam, temazepam), LSD.

Legal Highs – What are they? Can range from herbal extracts that contain caffeine e.g. guarana, which are relatively benign to highly toxic synthetic chemicals.

Legal Highs – What are they? Pharmaceutical companies spend billions of pounds trying to find and test new drugs – the finding is easy – testing costs the money! Just need to look for similar but different structures Let’s look at an example

Mephedrone –v- Amphetamine

Mephedrone –v- Amphetamine

Mephedrone – what does it do? Designed to resemble amphetamine but actually has a mixture of properties similar to ecstasy and cocaine Euphoria, heightened awareness, alertness, talkativeness, empathy

Mephedrone – what does it do? Side effects – increased blood pressure, anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, depression, fits, memory deficits.

Mephedrone Added to Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 on 16th April 2010 as well as other cathinones – i.e this was a generic regulation. So what did the suppliers do?

Naphyrone Suppliers had another substance waiting! Not in Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Added in June 2010

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Government now suggest “temporary” ban on “legal highs” – to allow “research” to be done to ascertain dangers. Will this work?

Other “Legal Highs” Anandamide – “legal” derivative of cannabis Fluorotropacocaine – “legal” derivative of cocaine All covered by Medicines Act 1968 if to be ingested – but often sold as “plant food”, “pond cleaner”, “bath salts”

What’s the problem? The word “legal” – legal suggests “safe” - “legal” draws in wider user base - few, if any, actually tested for toxicity - many have serious adverse effects

What’s the problem? Huge market – difficult to judge accurately but in the £ billions Largely in hands of criminal gangs – evidence at present is main source is China Many new substances waiting in the wings

What’s the problem? Not actually sure what you are getting New one out “Ivory Wave” – marketed as bath salts - no analysis as yet but word on the street is it is MPDV – methylenedioxypyrovalerone - actually a Class B drug

The Way Forward? Increasing pressure from many sides to move towards decriminalising drug abuse - it is a MEDICAL problem - supply pure, tested substances e.g. heroin, cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine Will society accept this?

My contact details Dr. Paul Skett Forensic Pharmacologist GEWS 46A, Carlton Place, Glasgow G5 9TW. Tel: 0141-418 4325 Fax: 0141-418 0518 email: paul.skett@ntlworld.com