1. Current Trends: NPS and Young People in Midlothian

2. Contents Overview of MYPAS services
A warning from history and an experts view
Emerging trends in Midlothian
One to one support – drug of choice and how old?
Trends – factors affecting change
Young people’s NPS of choice: introducing Synthetic cannabinoids
Key points
Contact Details

3. Overview of MYPAS Services
Sexual health = Drop-ins in Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg and Penicuik
Mental health = Counselling, Art Therapy and Family Counselling
Substance use = One to one support, group work and educational inputs

4. Mephedrone: a warning from history
In 2009 the Sun ran the following headline about mephedrone:
“Legal drug teen ripped his scrotum off”
Other myths the media often repeated during 2010:
mephedrone had led to the deaths of over 20 people (not one coroner blamed these solely on the drug)
teachers were unable to confiscate the drug from pupils

5. An expert’s view on mephedrone
“Mephedrone was the perfect drug….Water-soluble, not that toxic, and a very effective stimulant. Enormously enjoyable, users say, and very profitable for the dealers. People absolutely loved it. Well, they still do, actually – Britain is awash with the stuff.”
John Ramsey – Toxicologist at St George’s Medical School

6. Emerging trends in Midlothian
Handle this information with care:
Alcohol still widely used
Increasing use of energy drinks
More reporting of cannabis use
More reporting of use of New Psychoactive Substances – synthetic cannabinoids
Ecstasy makes a comeback
Increased reporting of use of Diazepam

7. One to one support – drug of choice
April 14 to end Dec 14 = 46 young people engaged in on-going support (22 female and 24 male)
Primary drug of choice reported at assessment:
Cannabis: 25 (13 also reported use of NPS)
Alcohol: 13
NPS: 6
Ecstasy: 1
Diazepam: 1

8. One to one support – how old?
Age range (at time of referral):
12 years: 1
13 years: 7
14 years: 13
15 years: 12
16+ years: 13

9. Trends – factors affecting change
Cost
Purity
Prevalence
Legal status
Social acceptability

10. Young people’s NPS of choice: introducing Synthetic cannabinoids
First on sale in the early 2000s
Often powder/crystal form – sprayed onto inert plant material
Varying degrees of potency – pinch the size of a match head is an active dose
£5 to 20 per gram – cheaper than cannabis
Mostly smoked (joints, bongs) can be eaten
Legality – regularly changes. Bags sold can include illegal chemicals.

12. Cost of synthetic cannabinoids
Cost of synthetic cannabinoid brands sold in well known head shop in Edinburgh on the 29th July 2014
Cheapest brands listed: Diesel, Hazel, Amnesia, Puff, Blend 88
1g - £5, 4g - £17.50, 0.5oz - £50, 1oz - £90
More expensive brands:
Chillum Black and Puff Adder: 1g - £13, 3g - £22
Gold Seal: 1g - £12, 3g - £26
Soft Black: 1g - £8, 3g - £20
Dutchy: 1g - £8, 3g - £18
Flavoured variety:
Herb – ½ g £5, 3½ g - £20

13. Synthetic cannabinoids
Effects:
Some people may get the giggles, feel hunger pangs and become very talkative. Others get more drowsy.
Mood and perception can change and concentration and co-ordination may become difficult.
Some will have quite bad reactions. Paranoia, panic attacks, vomiting, aggression and forgetfulness are all associated with use
Dependency and withdrawals

14. Key points Is everything you read or are told about NPS true?
Numbers of young people reporting NPS use has increased in the past few years
More 12 to 14 year olds are being referred for support
The popularity of drugs (including NPS) can change over short periods of time
Synthetic cannabinoids are readily available, attractively packaged for young people, cheaper than cannabis and often more potent

15. Contact details Paul Hunter (Team Leader)
Midlothian Young People’s Advice Service (MYPAS)
Tolbooth Hall
176 High Street
Dalkeith EH22 1AY
Tel:
Fax:
Web: