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Characteristics and time course of benzodiazepine-type new psychoactive substance detections in Australia: results from the Emerging Drugs Network of Australia - Victoria project 2020-2022.
- Source :
-
The International journal on drug policy [Int J Drug Policy] 2023 Dec; Vol. 122, pp. 104245. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Nov 07. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Introduction: The emergence of benzodiazepine-type new psychoactive substances (NPSs) are a growing international public health concern, with increasing detections in drug seizures and clinical and coronial casework. This study describes the patterns and nature of benzodiazepine-type NPS detections extracted from the Emerging Drugs Network of Australia - Victoria (EDNAV) project, to better characterise benzodiazepine-type NPS exposures within an Australian context.<br />Methods: EDNAV is a state-wide illicit drug toxicosurveillance project collecting data from patients presenting to an emergency department with illicit drug-related toxicity. Patient blood samples were screened for illicit, pharmaceutical and NPSs utilising liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Demographic, clinical, and analytical data was extracted from the centralised registry for cases with an analytical confirmation of a benzodiazepine-type NPS(s) between September 2020-August 2022.<br />Results: A benzodiazepine-type NPS was detected in 16.5 % of the EDNAV cohort (n = 183/1112). Benzodiazepine-type NPS positive patients were predominately male (69.4 %, n = 127), with a median age of 24 (range 16-68) years. Twelve different benzodiazepine-type NPSs were detected over the two-year period, most commonly clonazolam (n = 82, 44.8 %), etizolam (n = 62, 33.9 %), clobromazolam (n = 43, 23.5 %), flualprazolam (n = 42, 23.0 %), and phenazepam (n = 31, 16.9 %). Two or more benzodiazepine-type NPSs were detected in 47.0 % of benzodiazepine-type NPS positive patients. No patient referenced the use of a benzodiazepine-type NPS by name or reported the possibility of heterogenous product content.<br />Conclusion: Non-prescription benzodiazepine use may be an emerging concern in Australia, particularly amongst young males. The large variety of benzodiazepine-type NPS combinations suggest that consumers may not be aware of product heterogeneity upon purchase or use. Continued monitoring efforts are paramount to inform harm reduction opportunities.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Shaun L. Greene reports financial support was provided by Victoria Department of Health. Shaun L. Greene reports financial support was provided by National Health and Medical Research Council.<br /> (Crown Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1873-4758
- Volume :
- 122
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The International journal on drug policy
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 37944339
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104245