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Non-Medical Use of Novel Synthetic Opioids: A New Challenge to Public Health
- Source :
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 16, Iss 2, p 177 (2019)
- Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Background: In the last decade there has been a progressive increase in the use of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) that are not yet under international control. In particular, novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) have reappeared on the recreational drug market in the last few years. As a result, the use of NSOs has increased rapidly. This poses an emerging and demanding challenge to public health. Aim: To raise awareness among clinicians and other professionals about NPSs, especially NSOs, to summarize current knowledge about pharmacological properties, forms of NSO on the market, pattern of use, effects and consequences of use. Methods: An electronic search was carried out on the Medline/PubMed and Google Scholar databases to find selected search terms. Results: Some NPSs are already controlled, while others can be legally sold directly on the drug market (mainly via internet, less so by drug dealers) or be used as precursors for the synthesis of other designer drugs that mimic the psychoactive effects of controlled substances. Potential side-effects of NSOs include miosis, sedation, respiratory depression, hypothermia, inhibition of gastrointestinal propulsion, death (from opioid overdose). Conclusions: The severity of the opioid crisis has intensified with the introduction of highly potent NSOs on the drug market. As long as addicts are dying from overdose or similar causes, there is something more constructive to do than waiting for addicts to overdose on heroin at a place located near a remedy, as if to say, within reach of naloxone.
- Subjects :
- medicine.medical_specialty
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
new synthetic opioids
Recreational Drug
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
media_common.quotation_subject
Narcotic Antagonists
lcsh:Medicine
Poison control
Review
01 natural sciences
Heroin
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Naloxone
Injury prevention
medicine
Humans
030212 general & internal medicine
Intensive care medicine
media_common
Mitragyna speciosa
novel fentanyl derivatives
new generation of novel synthetic opioids
harm reduction strategies
business.industry
Illicit Drugs
Addiction
lcsh:R
010401 analytical chemistry
comprehensive treatment
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
o-desmethyltramadol
Opioid overdose
medicine.disease
Opioid-Related Disorders
0104 chemical sciences
Analgesics, Opioid
Fentanyl
illicit fentanyl
Opioid
new psychoactive substances
Public Health
Drug Overdose
business
medicine.drug
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 16604601
- Volume :
- 16
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International journal of environmental research and public health
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....80f332d3736963a568eb23cdb45de00c