Extremely potent drugs are on the rise in Europe – they would even put an elephant to sleep and

The drug market is becoming increasingly adaptable and resistant to the constraints of a pandemic. Psychoactive substances have been used more often at home than in clubs or bars in recent years. The most widely used drug is cannabis, but professionals are concerned about the increasing concentration of THC (narcotic) in cannabis resins.

Such findings were presented at a press conference of the Department of Drug, Tobacco and Alcohol Control on Wednesday. He presented the latest annual review of the state of drug use and use in Europe, compiled by the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).

The survey, based on data from 29 countries (EU-27, Turkey and Norway), provides new insights into the complex and evolving drug problem, as well as data on the rise in illicit drug production by crime groups organized.

According to Evelina Pridotkienė, Head of the Monitoring and Analysis Department at NTAKD, the prevalence of cannabis use is 5 times higher than that of any other psychoactive substance. 27.2 percent used cannabis at least once in their life. EU population. At that time in Lithuania, according to statistics, 10.8 percent used them at least once. people.

1.8 percent Europeans used cannabis on a daily or almost daily basis, which, according to Ms Pridotkienė, represents a serious threat. Additionally, there is an increase in the number of people seeking treatment for cannabis use. Increasing amounts of THC are found in cannabis resin, an intoxicating substance in the plant. According to the expert, this represents a threat to health.

Cocaine is less prevalent in Europe, second only to cannabis. However, the supply of cocaine is increasing and consumption is believed to be on the rise. There are other trends: more drugs are being used at home than in clubs, the spread of hepatitis C among injecting drug users is worrying, and new psychoactive substances are on the rise.

Giedrius Likatavičius, Demetra’s medical services consultant, cautions that participants in rehabilitation programs are mostly synthetic opioid users. Heroin addicts are very rare, as cheaper alternatives are chosen due to the high cost.

According to G. Likatavičius, increased alcohol consumption is noted, which prolongs the effect of the drug, as well as more episodes of inappropriate paranoid behavior among patients.

“Last year was an interesting moment: the disappearance of the camp. It has become much easier to get all kinds of materials throughout the city, you no longer have to go to the camp. However, although there are no more cabins, the trade in the field continues, ”said G. Likatavičius.

The new substances have no known name or composition.

Specialists are especially concerned about the rapid emergence of new psychoactive substances. In Europe, more than 830 new psychoactive substances are being detected, mostly synthetic cannabinoids and opioids.

Gabija Laubner, head of the RVUL and RITS Department of Acute Poisoning of Toxicology, says that Lithuania is not statistically very different from Europe. The main substances referred to the hospital are cannabis and its products and opioids.

“Not heroin, which we have not seen in Vilnius for several years, but synthetic veterinary opioids, which are much heavier and stronger,” Laubner said.

Many patients end up in the hospital due to higher concentrations of substances that are stronger. Also, several different substances are often used at the same time, in which case everything can result in sudden death.

The doctor also reported on the dangers of entering the market of new psychoactive substances. Currently, according to her, there are about 830 new substances that do not have any names.

Most of these products come from China, so the consumer cannot even understand the composition of said product. Furthermore, symptoms often do not even reveal which substance was used.

“When it came to old substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, everything was clear: the pupils were wide or narrow, the person was aggressive or slept. If we talk about new psychoactive substances, then those people who produce, consume and they see the patient they do not even understand what is happening to him.This is the most frightening and dangerous for health.

In most cases, when it comes to new psychoactive substances, they have stimulating properties. After synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones, a person is aggressive, confused, in a state of psychosis, very high pressure, high sweating, very restless. It requires not only a lot of medication, but also physical strength and human help, ”said G. Laubner.

Fentals are also popular in Lithuania, that is, synthetic veterinary opioids that, according to the doctor, can also put an elephant to sleep. Humans weigh much less than elephants, which makes these substances extremely dangerous. According to the doctor, after such substances, a person often needs to be rescued from unconsciousness and death.

“New psychoactive substances are often mixed. The laboratories in which they are produced are not sterile, with white walls and beautiful surroundings. It is usually a kind of basement, with questionable conditions. Mixing substances with completely different effects and even whoever mixes them does not really understand what they are doing. Imagine mixing yellow and red bubbles. It will not necessarily be the same ratio, then they are put into bags, and there may be more yellow bubbles in one and red bubbles in the other. Nobody knows what will reach the consumer. As a result, we do not even know the conditions with which a person arrives at the hospital, ”said the doctor.

Prof. of the Director of the Department of Drug, Tobacco and Alcohol Control (NTAKD). Dr. According to Renald Čiužas, the latest data related to the spread of drugs is of great concern and encourages the search for new and effective ways to solve these problems.

“We see trends and offer solutions to stop the spread of drugs and reduce their use in Lithuania. Currently, proposals are being prepared for the National Agenda for the Control and Prevention of Drugs, Tobacco and Alcohol, which will set the directions of our activities and of other institutions until 2035 ”, says prof. Dr. R. Čiužas.

Therefore, according to him, the NTAKD will continue to cooperate with the social partners in the fields of education, science, health and non-governmental organizations; In this fight we must be united to achieve the best possible results.

Impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the supply and use of medicines

As the results of the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction show, the drug market is becoming more resilient and digitally based. It continues to adapt to the limitations of a pandemic. Drug traffickers are adapting to travel restrictions and border closures. This is reflected in some changes to trafficking routes and methods: more emphasis is being placed on smuggling through intermodal containers and commercial supply chains.

In the initial period of inactivity due to a pandemic, consumers were less interested in chemicals that are commonly associated with consumption at clubs, parties, and other entertainment venues.

Benzodiazepine use is increasing among high-risk users, such as people in prisons and certain recreational settings. These trends may be related to the high supply and low cost of these substances and the increase in mental health problems during a pandemic.

Cannabis use remains high, but higher THC levels are of concern, with THC in cannabis resin rising. There are warnings of serious health problems caused by cannabis mixed with strong synthetic cannabinoids.

2019 A record 213 tons of cocaine were seized (2018 tons in 2018). The purity of cocaine has increased. Preliminary 2020 Seizure data suggests that availability did not decline during the pandemic, with more and more people starting treatment for the first time.

There are still high levels of heroin seizures in the EU (7.9 tonnes in 2019), raising concerns about the possible impact on consumption levels.

2019 The EU has reported around 1.5 million drug-related crimes, 82 percent. the cases were related to consumption or storage for personal use.