INVESTIGATION OF THE SPREAD OF NOVEL PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES (NPS); ITS DAMAGES AND DISADVANTAGES IN MODERN SOCIETIES

Background and Aim : Due to the lack of information on the pharmacological profile of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and the increasing prevalence of these substances among young people, this study on world statistical reports of NPS abuse has been conducted.Methods : This study was a narrative review. PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, Springer, Web of Science, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) databases and the United Nations protocols and conventions for the prevention and control of novel psychoactive drugs were searched for desirable prevalence studies published between 2013 and 2018. Data were extracted from eligible publications. The articles with new information about the prevalence of NPS as global concern topics have investigated. Studies that were included limited regional information and specific statistical population were excluded from the study processResults : NPS are often synthetic compounds and can be produced from the extracts of several plant species and also mushrooms. The six main groups of NPS reported by the EMCDDA include Cannabinoids, Cathinones, Phenethylamines, Tryptamines, Opioids, and Benzodiazepines. The highest sales and consumption rates of NPS were synthetic Cannabinomimetic(35%), stimulants (35%) and hallucinogens (18%). Two types of motivational factors as the most important reasons for increasing consumption of NPS in the world include external factors such as low cost and easy access and are unidentified in screening tests. Internal factors were curiosity and creating pleasurable effects or improving social status in friendly communities among adolescents and young people.Conclusion : Currently, limited information is available on the toxicity and damage for the use of NPS and now more research and development of scientific evidence-based responses to prevent their effects and treating the consequences of consumption of NPS are essential on the health of individuals

Keywords:

Novel Psychoactive Substances , Psychostimulants , Hallucinogens , Drug Policy