[Trends in Abuse of Biogenic Drugs in Parts of Germany 2007-2013].
OBJECTIVE
Based on an abundance of information on the internet, psychotropic plants and mushrooms are of increasing relevance as legal and cheap alternatives to other illicit drugs. Due to the lack of a German database, the abuse of selected biogenic drugs using reported exposures to 3 German Poison Information Centres (PICs) was examined.


METHODS
Information on abuse of biogenic drugs was collected from the German PICs in Berlin, Erfurt and Fribourg (2007-2013).


RESULTS
602 drug abuses were reported to the selected PICs. 52% reported consumption of tropane alkaloid-containing plants (Angel's trumpet, Thorn apple, Belladonna), 25% of psilocybin-containing mushrooms and 10% of nutmeg. Angel's trumpet was identified as the most abused plant. Consumers of tropane alkaloid-containing plants were mainly adolescents, whereas the majority of the abusers of psilocybin-containing mushrooms and nutmeg were rather young grown-ups and school children, respectively. A preponderance of moderate and severe effects (55%) could be noticed for exposures to tropane alkaloid-containing plants. More than 90% of suspected cases of tropane alkaloid-containing as well as psilocybin-containing plants abuse resulted in the treatment recommendation 'surveillance in hospital'. Mydriasis, hallucinations, tachycardia and agitation were the main symptoms after the abuse of biogenic drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
The data from the PICs suggest abuse of biogenic drugs in parts of Germany. A decreasing trend is observed, probably caused by the competition with new synthetic designer drugs. The results underline the dominance of Angel's trumpet in the abuse of biogenic drugs and emphasize the importance of easy accessibility for the abuse of biogenic drugs. Unexpectedly, the number of nutmeg abuse cases increased during the investigated period.
Institut für Rechtsmedizin, TU Dresden, Dresden.
J
J
Pietsch
Institut für Rechtsmedizin, TU Dresden, Dresden.
K
K
Scheffel
Giftnotruf, Charite-Universitätsklinikum Berlin, Berlin.
D
D
Acquarone
Giftnotruf, Charite-Universitätsklinikum Berlin, Berlin.
I
I
Koch
Giftnotruf, c/o HELIOS Klinikum Erfurt GmbH, Erfurt.
M
M
Deters
Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Vergiftungs-Informations-Zentrale, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg.
M
M
Hermanns-Clausen
D000293:Adolescent; D000363:Agaricales; D002648:Child; D005858:Germany; D006213:Hallucinogens; D006801:Humans; D015878:Mydriasis; D010944:Plants; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders
D006213:Hallucinogens