The Emperor's New Clothes? Findings from the NPSinEurope.eu Rapid Assessment and Response Study of Consumption of New Psychoactive Substances among People Who Use Drugs Heavily in Five EU Member States
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The EC-DPIP NPSinEurope.eu project contributes to innovative and effective health promotion interventions targeting emerging use of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) among people who use drugs heavily (PUDH). In five countries, we conducted a rapid assessment and response (RAR) study of NPS use, aimed at informing these emerging interventions.
AIMS: To identify and document the emergent use of NPS among PUDH in five EU member states and map the developing response in these countries. METHODS: Desk review of the national NPS situation, an Internet Snapshot of NPS availability in offline and online drug markets, and focus groups with key stakeholders.
RESULTS: Smart shops boosted the popularity of NPS, but after legislative action most were closed or severely restricted their assortment. A variety of NPS are available via websites and traditional drug dealing structures.
The injecting of mephedrone, MDPV or other synthetic stimulants among PUDH are reported in the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania, to varying degrees. In Portugal and Greece, NPS are of less prevalent among PUDH.
Greek PUDH have turned to smoking methamphetamine. CONCLUSIONS: Synthetic stimulants are increasingly diffusing into PUDH populations.
Emerging drug trends are increasingly unpredictable, subject to (offline/online) availability, legal status/action, local preferences, access to traditional substances and a range of environmental variables.