[Synthetic drugs: the new low-cost landscape of drugs].
Designer drugs include, among others, synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones. These new "legal highs" drugs are sold on line for recreational public or private use. Synthetic cannabinoids are a psychoactive herbal and chemical product that, when used, mimics the effects of cannabis. Cathinone is a naturally occurring betaketone amphetamine analogue found in the leaves of the Catha edulis plant. Synthetic cathinones are phenylalkylamines derivatives, and may possess both amphetamine-like properties. They are often sold as "bath salts" or "plant food" and labeled "not for human consumption" to circumvent drug abuse legislation. The absence of legal risks, the ease of obtaining these drugs, the moderate cost, and the avaibility via Internet are the main criteria attracting the user. There is evidence that negative health and social consequences may occur in recreational and chronic users. The addictive potential of designer drugs is not weak. Furthermore, there is a lack of epidemiological, pharmacological, animal, clinical, psychological and therapeutic data concerning these new synthetic agents.
Centre d'enseignement, de recherche et de traitement des addictions, hôpital Paul-Brousse, AP-HP, université Paris-Sud-11, CEA-Inserm U1000, 94804 Villejuif Cedex. laurent.karila@gmail.com.fr
Laurent
L
Karila
Aymeric
A
Petit
Olivier
O
Cottencin
Sarah
S
Coscas
Michel
M
Reynaud
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000633:toxicity; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000633:toxicity; D060326:Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends*; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000633:toxicity; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology
D000470:Alkaloids; D002186:Cannabinoids; D013287:Illicit Drugs; C023665:cathinone