“New Psychoactive Substances” (NPS)

Starting in the 1980 s the popularity of designer-drugs of the “ecstasy”-type increased, predominantly in the techno- and rave-scene. During that time the list of psychoactive compounds sold as “ecstasy” covered just a few substances with MDMA (methylendioxymethamphetamine) as the most common active agent. All these substances have been banned worldwide during this decade. Safe analytical procedures for identification and quantitation of these drugs in urine, blood and hair have been established.

Since about 2005 a dramatic rise in the number new potent drugs known as “Legal Highs” or “Research Chemicals” was observed, offering alternatives to the classical illegal drugs of abuse.

Modifications of stimulants of the cocaine- or amphetamine-class (“bathsalt”-drugs), cannabimimetics (“SPICE”-Drugs), narcotics, sedatives and hallucinogenic compounds can easily be purchased in the internet nowadays.

According to the current legal situation in Germany, these substances may initially be sold and used without prosecution. Each individual drug is then eventually banned by law in reference to its specific molecular structure.

This causes rapid changes in the illegal market with a shift towards ever new unbanned molecular structures. It is very challenging for analytical laboratories to establish up-to-date analytical procedures for the detection of these drugs.

An overview about the different compound classes and substances, the current market situation, analytical methods, legal perspectives and toxicological aspects about “NPS” is given.