The analysis of illicit 25X-NBOMe seizures in Western Australia

New psychoactive substances in Australia: patterns and characteristics of use, adverse effects, and interventions to reduce harm

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To summarize the most recent peer-review literature on new psychoactive substances (NPS) within Australia.

RECENT FINDINGS

NPS use among the general Australian population is low, yet more pervasive among specific subpopulations. There is considerable heterogeneity among people who use NPS, however, overall, they are not unique from those who use more established illicit drugs. NPS have been shown to be highly adulterated, used as contaminants, variable in dose, and changeable as to the specific substances available over time. Further, analyses of coroners' cases highlight the importance of consumer understanding of NPS effects, particularly where they differ substantially to their more traditional illicit drug counterparts (e.g., synthetic vs. plant cannabinoids). One study posited that legislative approaches to NPS have been (partially) effective in reducing harms, and there are new systems being established to identify NPS-related health harms.

SUMMARY

There have been few studies recently published on NPS in Australia (n = 17), however, findings mostly align with the international literature with respect to the rapidly changing nature of the NPS market, the use of NPS as adulterants, and associated harms. These themes highlight the need for proactive, novel approaches to rapidly identify, and respond to emerging drugs of concern.

Interpol review of controlled substances 2016-2019

This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in controlled substances from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.

Quick Test for Determination of N-Bombs (Phenethylamine Derivatives, NBOMe) Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: A Comparison between Photodiode Array and Amperometric Detection

The emergence of a new class of novel psychoactive substances, N-benzyl-substituted phenethylamine derivatives so-called "NBOMes" or "Smiles", in the recreational drug market has forced the development of new sensitive analytical methodologies for their detection and quantitation. NBOMes' hallucinogenic effects mimic those of the illegal psychedelic drug lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and are typically sold as LSD on blotter papers, resulting in a remarkable number of fatalities worldwide. In this article, four halide derivatives of NBOMe, namely, 2-(4-fluoro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethan-1-amine, 2-(4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethan-1-amine, 2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethan-1-amine, and 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethan-1-amine, were detected and quantified simultaneously using a high-performance liquid chromatographic method, and two detection systems were compared: photodiode array detection (detection system I) and amperometric detection via a commercially available impinging jet flow-cell system incorporating embedded graphite screen-printed macroelectrodes (detection system II). Under optimized experimental conditions, linear calibration plots were obtained in the concentration range of 10-300 and 20-300 μg mL^-1, for detection systems I and II, respectively. Detection limit (limit of detection) values were between 4.6-6.7 and 9.7-18 μg mL^-1, for detection systems I and II, respectively. Both detectors were employed for the analysis of the four NBOMe derivatives in the bulk form, in the presence of LSD and adulterants commonly found in street samples (e.g. paracetamol, caffeine, and benzocaine). Furthermore, the method was applied for the analysis of simulated blotter papers, and the obtained percentage recoveries were satisfactory, emphasizing its advantageous applicability for the routine analysis of NBOMes in forensic laboratories.