New Psychoactive Substances: A Potential Threat to Developing Countries

Abstract

Background: New psychoactive substances (NPS) have become a global phenomenon, with over 134 countries and territories from all world regions reporting them. Since December 2021, governments, laboratories, and partner agencies have confirmed to the UNODC Early Warning Advisory (EWA) on NPS over 1124 substances. It is agreed that NPS control is one of the most challenging tasks for developing countries. Identifying the present and future threads of NPS is the most challenging task for law enforcement officials. The NPS research has a great impact on substance abuse policy-making and harm reduction strategies. Methods: The data in this study were collected from the official websites of online journals, Google Scholar, UNODC, International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), and the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC). Findings: Among the eleven groups of NPS, synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones are the most prevalent and alarming in developing countries. In Bangladesh, NPS abuse has been first identified in 2016. Almost 60 countries adopted legislative solutions to manage NPS by 2021, with many using or amending existing legislation and others employing novel legal mechanisms. It is widely agreed by researchers that reducing the menace of NPS requires increased awareness among all stakeholders. Conclusion: In the fight against the spread of NPS and its severe effects, law enforcement authorities and healthcare professional training must be seen as crucial aspects as well. Financing is also crucial for international organizations dealing with the NPS impact to continue fighting this war. The only way for policymakers to reduce NPS spread globally is through national and international cooperation.

New Psychoactive Substances: Health and Legal Challenges

“…Continued efforts should also be made to develop more sensitive laboratory tests to detect NPSs. As suggested by other authors [8], it appears that the only way to curb the use of NPSs is through implementing policies and cooperation systems among different countries. However, despite the solution seeming simple and evident, and some countries beginning to take steps in that direction, its practicability is proving challenging due to the complexity of international relations.…”

“…Users may experience severe adverse reactions, including psychosis, seizures, and even death. Therefore, developing comprehensive and flexible legislation is essential to address the dynamic nature of the NPS market and restrict the consequences for human health [8,17].…”

“…The rationale behind their advancement is the development of novel compounds that are not yet classified as illegal, allowing them to circumvent existing drug laws. However, as these substances gain popularity, authorities update regulations to control their distribution and use [5][6][7][8].…”

“…This online marketing dramatically contributes to the challenges of regulating and controlling these substances. Therefore, users may be exposed to unexpected health risks, including severe physical and psychological reactions [8,12].…”

Effects of the Synthetic Cathinone α-Pyrrolidinobutiothiophenone (α-PBT) on Discriminative Stimulus Effects and Intracranial Self-Stimulation Thresholds in Male Rats

“…Synthetic cathinones are psychoactive substances that mimic the neurobehavioral effects of psycho-stimulants such as cocaine, methamphetamines, and amphetamine . Recently, the use of synthetic cathinones has increased worldwide. − These synthetic cathinones are traded legally online in many countries without restriction. Sale of synthetic cathinones is not limited because these drugs are currently not designated as narcotics.…”