Drugs of misuse
Drugs of misuse constitute a considerable public health issue in the UK. Data provided by NPIS are extremely useful in monitoring shifting trends.
Telephone enquiries and TOXBASE accesses relating to selected drugs of misuse in 2010/11
In 2009/10, for example, NPIS experienced a surge in enquiries relating to synthetic cathinones such as mephedrone. In this year, there were 4,500 online and 292 telephone enquiries relating to mephedrone - up from none in the previous year. NPIS enquiry data helped to inform government policy on the control of these drugs. Cathinones were classified as Class B controlled drugs in April 2010.
As new recreational drugs and 'legal highs' emerge, NPIS develops the detailed TOXBASE data needed to support frontline professional colleagues when they encounter them. In addition, NPIS analysis of enquiries relating to drugs of misuse plays an important part in helping to assess the public health implications associated with the very serious toxic effects of these agents.
Strong opiates such as heroin or methadone are often implicated in deaths associated with drugs of misuse. In recent years, NPIS has experienced an overall increase in enquires relating to the toxic effects of cocaine, though latterly these reduced slightly as users switched to newer stimulants. Cocaine is currently the second most cited drug of misuse in telephone enquiries, after mephedrone.
Other stimulants generating increasing TOXBASE and telephone activity include ketamine, gamma-butytolactone (GBL) and benzylpiperazines, although enquiries about these substances remain relatively rare.
By monitoring fluctuating levels of enquiry, NPIS is able to contribute to information on national trends in drugs of misuse. It has, for example, noted a downward trend in TOXBASE accesses and telephone enquiries relating to cannabis and ecstasy (MDMA), while the statistics relating to LSD or hallucinogenic ('magic') mushrooms remain constant.
Information from the NPIS Annual Report 2010/11
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