New Drugs in Croatia (2009)
Mephedrone
On 1 September 2009 the emergence of a new psychoactive substance - mephedrone was observed on the Croatian territory.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Protocol on Early Warning System on New Psychoactive Substances in the Republic of Croatia, the expert working group has assessed the health and social risks of the new substance and has agreed to include mephedrone in the List of drugs, psychotropic substances and plants that drugs can be produced from as well as substances that can be used in order to produce drugs (NN 2/10).
Mephedrone is a derivative of cathinone and methcathinone, central nervous system stimulant, with similar pharmacological effects as methamphetamine. Effects of mephedrone include the feeling of euphoria, excellent communication skills and empathy, accelerated respiration and heart rate, dilated pupils, etc.
The EMCDDA is currently monitoring a few synthetic cathinones through the Early Warning System on New Psychoactive Substances at EU level, including mephedrone. There is little evidence available on its use, other than statements of individual users and information on the Internet, and so far no systematic research on the toxicity of mephedrone and its health risks has been conducted. Mephedrone was associated with a single fatality in Denmark and two in Sweden, which were not toxicologically confirmed. The substance was seized in considerable quantities in some countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Great Britain, it was found in ecstasy pills (Germany) and recently in legal products, the so-called "legal highs" that are being advertised as "bath salts" (Ireland). Denmark and Sweden (as well as Norway, which is unconfirmed information) have introduced measures to control these substances, while other countries where the problem occurred are still considering putting mephedrone under control (e.g., Germany).
On 28 December 2009 mephedrone was included in the List of drugs.
The EMCDDA is currently monitoring a few synthetic cathinones through the Early Warning System on New Psychoactive Substances at EU level, including mephedrone. There is little evidence available on its use, other than statements of individual users and information on the Internet, and so far no systematic research on the toxicity of mephedrone and its health risks has been conducted. Mephedrone was associated with a single fatality in Denmark and two in Sweden, which were not toxicologically confirmed. The substance was seized in considerable quantities in some countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Great Britain, it was found in ecstasy pills (Germany) and recently in legal products, the so-called "legal highs" that are being advertised as "bath salts" (Ireland). Denmark and Sweden (as well as Norway, which is unconfirmed information) have introduced measures to control these substances, while other countries where the problem occurred are still considering putting mephedrone under control (e.g., Germany).
On 28 December 2009 mephedrone was included in the List of drugs.
Parafluoroamphetamine
During January 2009 four seizures of a new psychoactive substance (p-fluoroamphetamine) were recorded in the Republic of Croatia, pursuant to which the expert working group assessed the risk of misuse of this substance in the Republic of Croatia and the competent EU authorities (EMCDDA and Europol) that coordinate the work of the EU Early Warning System on New Psychoactive Substances were informed about the phenomenon.
Received information indicates to the appearance of p-fluoroamphetamine in Denmark and Belgium as well, therefore, the competent authorities will closely monitor the further emergence of the subject matter across the EU, and if necessary take measures to assess health and social risks caused by the use, production and trade of the new psychoactive substance, the participation of organized crime and the possible consequences of control measures, for the purpose of eventual launch of the legal procedure for putting the substance under control.
Expert working group for assessing the potential risk of misuse of p-fluoroamphetamine concluded that the same should be put on the List of drugs, psychotropic substances and plants that drugs can be produced from as well as substances that can be used in order to produce drugs, and the same drug was placed on the List of drugs on 22 April 2009.
Studies comparing pharmacological properties of 4-FMP in relation to amphetamines, using several in vivo and in vitro tests (Marona-Lewicka et al., 1995), suggest that the two substances overlap.
Effects: The effects of p-fluoroamphetamine are similar to amphetamine, and partly similar to those of MDMA. Toxicity of 4-FMP was tested on female white mice, and compared with the effects of amphetamine (Suter et al., 1941). Fluorinated amphetamine was slightly more toxic than the unsubstituted compound (LD50 = 25mg/kg).
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