‘New’ mimic drugs creeping into market

While marijuana, cocaine and alcohol continue to be the primary drugs used in Barbados, concern has been raised that “non-traditional substances” are entering the market.

It has come from Minister of Home Affairs Edmund Hinkson, who said close attention is being kept on New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) which were being designed to give users a “legal high”.

He said the situation was highlighted in the 2017 and 2018 Barbados Drug Information Network (BARDIN) report, which was officially released today during a virtual meeting at the National Council of Substance Abuse (NSCA).

He said even though there was no evidence to suggest NPS were being currently used in Barbados, other drug variations had been found.

“The international drug scene is constantly evolving and of particular concern are NPS. NPS are a range of drugs that have been designed to mimic established illicit drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy and LSD.

“They are ‘new’ to the market and are not controlled by the 1961 United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs or the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The intention is to create a ‘legal high’. Therefore, manufacturers are constantly developing new chemicals to replace substances that are controlled by law,” the Minister said.

“While there are no statistics from BARDIN or otherwise, to indicate the presence of New Psychoactive Substances in Barbados, the NCSA is aware of anecdotal reports which suggest the presence of drugs within this category, such as synthetic marijuana (K2, Spice). Similarly, anecdotal reports are also suggesting the use of Lean or ‘Purple Drink’ among the youth. Though not a NPS, this cough-syrup based mixture can have dangerous effects.

“Given its potential for danger, the NCSA has been closely monitoring Lean and included it in the recently concluded 2020 National Primary School Survey. We can take comfort in the fact that very few primary school students have used the substance and most do not know what it is,” Hinkson added.

The Minister said drugs such as ecstasy, methamphetamine, opioids and crystal meth had also made their way into the market.

“The 2017 and 2018 reports show that the local drug situation continues to be primarily characterized by marijuana, cocaine (crack and powdered) and alcohol. However, this appears to be slowly diversifying to include non-traditional substances. These reports highlight a small number of persons seeking treatment for ecstasy as well as police seizures of ecstasy and methamphetamine.

“Of particular note is the fact that the 2017 and 2018 reports are the first to show police seizures of methamphetamine. Therefore, careful attention should be paid to this as it may point to an emerging trend. Previous BARDIN reports also point to the diversification of the drug situation given sporadic cases of persons seeking treatment for additional substances such as opioids, amphetamines and crystal meth,” Hinkson said.

“While minimal, instances like these give us pause, as the horrific results of exponential use in the international jurisdictions is not a development we would wish to see in the Barbados.”

As part of efforts to monitor these developments, the Minister said the NCSA would be buttressing BARDIN’s data collection and information-sharing capacity with the implementation of an early warning system.

This new system will help in the early detection of new drugs in Barbados.

According to the findings of BARDIN’s latest report, males continued to be the main abusers of drugs and alcohol.

It revealed that the majority of students testing positive for marijuana use at the Edna Nicholls Centre continue to be males between 13 and 15 years old.

Marijuana continues to be the preferred illegal drug among men under 40 while alcohol and crack cocaine were more prevalent among adults.

The report also revealed that drug possession was the most common offence for which persons were incarcerated, with marijuana continuing to be the most dominant drug.

Among some of the recommendations was for the design and implementation of specialized programmes and interventions which cater to young males, the need to investigate issues relating to women and substance abuse and the creation of job opportunities for persons addicted to drugs.
randybennett@barbadostoday.bb