What can you tell me about New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) ('Legal Highs')

[CJ209]

Hi all,

I'm currently studying an MA in Criminology at the Univerity of Kent (UK) and have a keen interest in drug policy. I'm currently working with Dr Kate O'Brien & Prof Fiona Measham on an article which will hopefully accompany a to-be-commissioned BBC Radio 4 programme on the role of the media in influencing drug policy in respect to 'legal highs' (NPS). I'm trying to develop a fairly comprehensive understanding of the current NPS landscape, which is seeming to be quite difficult as it is constantly evolving and responding to policy interventions. I was wondering if anyone would be able to give me an indication of what's popular at the moment, what isn't, and any thing else you feel may be important (ideally in a UK context). I do have some understanding already, but would find any input incredibly helpful as it will help me cross-refer general perceptions and understandings of the market.

If you have any further questions don't hestitate to ask either in this thread, or drop me an e-mail: [email protected]

Thanks,

Charlie

 

[Noodle473]

Welcome CJ! It is definitely true that the legal high market has and will continue to change because of we can synthesize so many previously unknown drugs, and their relationship with the law is what destroys some fads and starts others. What's popular at the moment: Methoxetamine has been big for at least 4 years among partiers acros the globe, 4aco-dmt (very similar to psilocybin) is also sought after by many psychedelic heads today. Etizolam also comes to mind, 4fa perhaps? Im not too into stimulants but there are some big changes and probably some notably popular ones today similar to mephedrone, 4mmc, etc.

I wish you well!

 

[xx001]

Those are some of the ones that are popular in the sense that people want them. On the flip side, because these substances are cheap, they are often sold as more desireable, illegal drugs. Methoxetamine is sold as ketamine. Methylone, mephedrone, 6-apb, etc. are sold as mdma. 25i-nbome is sold as lsd.

Also, the high potency(in terms of dosages) of some of these drugs (25i-nbome particularly), and lack of knowledge leads many uneducated users to take very excessive doses accidentally.

 

[ronthetiger]

I don't mean to take this thread off topic, but is 4-AcO-DMT currently legal?
I was under the impression that it was illegal in the United States (where I reside) as well as the United Kingdom.

I've never really been into synthetics though, so I could very easily be mistaken.

 

[ronthetiger]

Ah, no one has mentioned this yet, and it is most certainly not the most potent of the "legal highs," but kratom is a VERY popular legal opiate-like drug where I come from.

 

[xx001]

4-AcO-DMT is in a grey area in the US. It is not specifically prohibited, and, to my knowledge, nobody has been charged for possession of it. However, it could easily bring prosecution through the analog act for similarities to psilocin and psilocybin, both Schedule I. Also, any sample of 4-AcO-DMT will contain some amount of psilocin as a result of degradation.

 

[nastypoker]

There are hundreds, most of which the average person has no idea about. Even regular drug users will not know most.

More and more are becoming more available due to the lack of supply and cost of classic drugs like acid, mdma, cocaine etc.

Only issue is we don't know what sort of damage they do to people long term. If you want a list, read phihkal and tihkal.

 

[Kanzi]

Hi Charlie, I would be interested in reading any findings you got from your research. I am a drugs worker and NPS use appears to be quite prevalent among service users in prison