1. DRUGS ACTION “New Psychoactive Substances”. & Overdose Training
Gillian Maclean
Drugs Action
7 Hadden Street
Aberdeen Tel:
HELPLINE

2. New Psychoactive Substances.
Definition (but by no means definitive)
“ Legal Highs are substances made from assorted herbs, herbal extracts and ‘research chemicals’, which emulate the effects of some illegal drugs such as, Cannabis, LSD, Cocaine or others. These substances are not currently controlled by the Misuse of Drugs or Medicine Acts”
Arthur and Grunert 2005

3. NPS Packaging ALL PACKAGES WILL STATE : Not for Human Consumption.
SOLD AS :
Herbal Incense,
Bath Salts,
Plant Food,
Novelty Item Only,
For Research Use Only.
etc. etc.

4. NPS Packets

5. Current Legislation Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) Medicines Act (1968)
Poisons act (1972)
Consumer Protection Legislation
Common Law
Temporary Class Drug Orders (2012)

6. Alexander Shulgin

7. Mephedrone Video

8. 651 Websites in Europe
EMCDDA 2014

9. Online Purchase

10. the drugs wheel.com

11. NPS Drug Groups STIMULANTS ( mimic; Cocaine, Amphetamines)
EMPATHOGENS ( mimic; Ecstasy)
PSYCHEDELICS ( mimic; LSD, Magic Mushrooms)
DISSOCIATIVES ( mimic; Ketamine )
DEPRESSANTS ( mimic; Valium, Librium )
OPIODS ( mimic; Heroin, Methadone )
CANNABINOIDS ( mimic; Strong Cannabis )

12. “CREW 2000”
2011

13. Concerns !
With the continuing release of new psychoactive substances on the drug market, there is concern that new or obscure substances that have
contributed to deaths may escape detection.
The high potency of some synthetic substances further complicates
their detection, as they will be present only at very low concentrations in
the blood.
The emergence of highly potent synthetic substances also has implications for law enforcement, as even small quantities of these drugs can be converted into multiple doses
EMCDDA 14

14. Commonly Used NPS UK. Cannabinoids 3rd Generation
2-nel / sts - 135
5f – akb – 48
5f – pb 22
akb – 48
fub – pb – 22
( SOMETIMES THESE CHEMICALS ARE MIXED TOGETHER and SOLD AS BLENDS )
In the first six months of 2013, eighteen countries reported more than
1 800 seizures of synthetic cannabinoids. The largest seizures were reported by
Spain (20 kg) and Finland (7 kg).

15. S.C. Adverse Effects
reported adverse effects include agitation, seizures, hypertension, emesis (vomiting) and hypokalemia (low potassium levels). researchers have concluded that ‘legal highs’ containing synthetic cannabinoids are potentially more harmful than cannabis
associated with psychiatric symptoms, including psychosis
investigations underway in the US regarding links between the use and acute kidney injury
EMCDDA 2013

16. Homemade Synthetic Cannabis
Marshmallow Leaf
Acetone
Synthetic Cannabis Powder

17. Elliot
WASTED! Pandoras Box trip report legal high - YouTube [360p].mp4

18. “Withdrawal” and “Comedown”
Agitation
Paranoia
Fatigue
Irritability
Insomnia
Panic Attacks
Brain Flashes
Hypnic Jerks
Incite client 2012
Feeling anxious
Feeling shaky
Can’t think of
anything else
Feel depressed,
hopeless
Feeling sweaty
Leeds Addiction Unit 1996

19. Treatment Drug counselling. Residential treatment.
Fellowship and self-help.
Alternative therapies such as auricular
acupuncture.
Sleep management.
Clinical Prescribing (GP’s)
Tapering strategies.
(especially synthetic cannabis)

20. Harm Reduction Advice around administration route
Test dosing and dosage information
Avoid poly drug use including alcohol
Consider “Set and Setting”
Having a “sitter”
Think about “safe sex”
Getting home safely
Going to sleep on their side

21. Overdose : Definition
“Use of any drug(s) in such quantities that acute adverse physical or mental effects occur. It can be deliberate or accidental; lethal or non lethal”

22. Overdose: Main Risk Factors
Tolerance
Injecting drugs
Mixing drugs - primarily depressants
Longer history of drug use
Depression and low mood
Contd.

23. Significant life events
Contd.
Poor physical health
Using alone
Homeless user
Not being in treatment
Significant life events

24. Signs of NPS overdose Dizziness, Dehydration, Rapid heart rate, 
Dizziness,
  Dehydration,
  Rapid heart rate,
  Seizures,
  Severe nausea and vomiting,
Hyperthermia, (very high body temperature, overheating)
  Serotonin Syndrome

25. High Risk Times
Difficult life events – bereavement, loss of contact with children, separation / divorce
Poor emotional health
Weekends, festive period, leaving home
Using alone
Relapse
Isolation
Buying from a different source

26. Dealing with an Overdose
Don’t inflict pain
Don’t give other drugs e.g. stimulants
Don’t put in bath / shower
Don’t walk the person around
Don’t leave person on their own
Recovery position / CPR
Phone 999 without delay

27. Dealing with overdose? Common myths
DON’T
Attempt to walk casualty around
Inflict pain
Inject stimulants
Inject salt water
Place in cold bath / shower
Insert ice / ice cream in rectum

28. DRUGS ACTION “New Psychoactive Substances”. & Overdose Training
Gillian Maclean
Drugs Action
7 Hadden Street
Aberdeen Tel:
HELPLINE