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Color Spot Test As a Presumptive Tool for the Rapid Detection of Synthetic Cathinones
Published on: February 5, 2018
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Synthetic Cannabinoids and Cathinones: Prevalence and Markets
A L Bretteville-Jensen1, S S Tuv2, O R Bilgrei1
1Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research, Sentrum, Oslo, Norway.
Forensic Science Review
|August 1, 2015
Summary
Synthetic cathinones and synthetic cannabinoids are potent designer drugs. Synthetic cathinones show higher prevalence rates than synthetic cannabinoids across general, student, and high-risk populations.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Sociology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Designer drugs, specifically synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones, are a growing public health concern.
- These substances are associated with severe toxicity and fatalities.
- Their emergence necessitates a comprehensive understanding of their market and usage patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the market and prevalence of synthetic cathinones and synthetic cannabinoids.
- To integrate pharmacological, sociological, and epidemiological data on these emerging synthetic drugs.
- To identify factors contributing to their use and availability.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing studies on synthetic drug markets and prevalence.
- Integration of pharmacological, sociological, and epidemiological data.
- Analysis of factors influencing drug use, including marketing, price, legal status, and detection.
Main Results:
- The internet facilitates wide availability of synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids.
- Aggressive marketing, low prices, legal status, and lack of detection drive usage.
- Prevalence rates are higher for synthetic cathinones (approx. 4% general population) than synthetic cannabinoids (<1% general population).
- Prevalence varies significantly among students and high-risk groups, with cathinones generally showing higher rates.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic cathinones appear to be more prevalent than synthetic cannabinoids.
- Methodological limitations exist in current prevalence studies.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the epidemiology of these drugs.
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