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New Psychoactive Substances in Portugal Trends and approaches. Joana Silva Susana Henriques.
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New Psychoactive Substances in Portugal Trends and approaches Joana Silva Susana Henriques
NPS - new narcotic or psychotropic drug, in pure form or in preparation, that is not controlled by the United Nations drug conventions, but which may pose a public health threat comparable to that posed by substances listed in these conventions' Sold in smartshops, growshops or on-line, between February 2007 and April 2013 – legislation changes (decree-law Nº 54/2013 of 17th April)
Nightlife settings are ‘therefore relevant to developing an understanding and response to NPS use and provide opportunities to target recreational and harmful drug use’ Interviews and observation - the experiences of NPS from nightlife key-agents: the party workers
Research questions: In what night settings and contexts are the NPS used? Which NPS are being used in these nightlife settings? Where are these NPS sourced? What is the impact of online markets? What are the experiences of these NPS in terms of drug related outcome? What level of harm reduction awareness is there, and what harm reduction practices are used?
In what night settings and contexts are the NPS used? Nightlife recreational contexts “Music lovers and party goers, no doubt.” “Partygoers.”
Which NPS are being used in these nightlife settings? 2cb, MXE, DMT, Salvia, Nbomes, Changa, LSI, 25i… “NPS are thenewdrugs, sothosedrugsthatnobodyknowsexactlywhatthey are orwhatthey do…” “Legal imitationsof ilegal drugs.” “NPS are basicallystudies (…) youhave designer drugssincethe 80´s andnowthere are thatonesfromsmartshops (…) resultingofstudiesanddiscoveries.” “NPS are thingsthatpeopleput out in themarkets… are newsubstances”
Where are these NPS sourced? what is the impact of online markets? “… some peopleusuallybuydrugs in theparties, otheronesbringingthestufffromotherplaces (...) I don’tknowwherefrom.” “Probablythere are some ‘homelaboratories’ in Portugal…” “Atthebegining NPS weresoldonthe internet, then in thesmartshopsand more peoplehadaccess to NSP.” “Onlyfewpeoplebuy NPS onthe internet…”
What are the experiences of these NPS in terms of drug related outcome? “The most frequent bad experiences are with hallucinogenic type of substances…” “There are some crises with MDMA or LSD.”
What level of harm reduction awareness is there, and what harm reduction practices are used? “Some information in international platforms and forums.” “We share experiencesandadvisetheonesthat are using for thefirst time…” “I was in a festival wheretherewas a drugtestingservice, butthatisnot usual.”
In conclusion: No consensual NPS definition – focus on ‘new’ Low risk and harm attention Prevalence and patterns of polydrug uses Parallels and intersections between NPS and traditional drugs
New Psychoactive Substances in Portugal Trends and approaches jpaulapbrsilva@gmail.com Susana_alexandra_henriques@iscte.pt