Designer drugs – still a threat? / Narkotyki projektowane (dopalacze) czy nadal są zagrożeniem?
Journal Title: Przegląd Epidemiologiczny - Year 2019, Vol 73, Issue 3
Abstract
INTRODUCTION. In Poland, an increasing number of psychoactive substances are becoming prohibited by law as psychotropic or narcotic substances, or as new psychoactive substances (NPSs). Owing to the enormous technological possibilities offered by today’s science, synthesis of new derivatives of prohibited compounds is no longer a problem. The moment a dangerous substance is outlawed, new designer drugs (in Poland known as ‘dopalacze’) appear on the market. STATE OF KNOWLEDGE. An amendment to the Act on Counteracting Drug Addiction issued in July 2018 made it possible for the NPS to be considered drugs by law. Synthetic cannabinoids and cathinone derivatives make up the majority of NPSs identified by the authorities in Poland. Synthetic cannabinoids which can, unlike cannabinoid receptor agonists of plant origin, cause death by somatic toxicity, are particularly dangerous. The ability to quickly recognize poisoning with synthetic opioids is crucial, since an antidote reversing the depressive effect of opioids on the respiratory center can be administered. SUMMARY. This work collects the most important and up-to-date information on designer drugs, based on reports and articles published between 2015 and 2019. The covered aspects include: the current definition of designer drugs in relation to the Polish law, their exact division due to the clinical effects they cause and the description of the threats they pose. Emphasis was given to the current situation of the designer drug market in Poland.
Authors and Affiliations
Emil Bartosz Rozenek, Karolina Wilczyńska, Monika Górska, Napoleon Waszkiewicz
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP670189
- DOI 10.32394/pe.73.23
- Views 266
- Downloads 0
Seroprevalence of parvovirus B19 antibodies among young pregnant women or planning pregnancy, tested for toxoplasmosis
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE. Acute parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection is a proven risk for pregnant women and fetus. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of B19V antibodies among pregnant women or planning p...
The role of alert pathogens in bacterial diseases in patients hospitalized at the Department of Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis Public Clinical Hospital No 3 in Zabrze in 2008-2012 / Rola patogenów alarmowych w chorobach bakteryjnych u pacjentów hospitalizowanych w Katedrze i Klinice Chorób Płuc i Gruźlicy Samodzielnego Publicznego Szpitala Klinicznego w Zabrzu w latach 2008-2012
BACKGROUND: The current public health problem is the increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Microorganisms isolated from infections are more often non-susceptible to most available drugs. The microorganisms prod...
Chickenpox in Poland in 2015 / Ospa wietrzna w Polsce w 2015 roku
BACKGROUND: A large number of chickenpox cases, indicates the rationale for the use of chickenpox vaccinations. In Poland since 2002, chickenpox vaccination is included in the National Immunisation Programme as recommend...
Traumatic stress in the work of paramedics / Stres traumatyczny w pracy ratowników medycznych
Paramedics are a new group of professionals among the medical professions aimed to save lives and health of the injured. The nature of the work, intensity of the actions, decision-making, struggle for life and health of...
Hepatitis C in Poland in 2017 / Wirusowe zapalenie wątroby typu C (wzw C) w Polsce w 2017 roku
OBJECTIVE. The aim of this article was to analyze the epidemiological situation of HCV in Poland in 2017, based on data collected as part of epidemiological surveillance. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The analysis was carried o...