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Emerging Drug Trends
MSgt Jason R Henke
Missouri National Guard
Counterdrug Task Force
NIDA’s Community Epidemiology Work Group (ECWG)
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Established in 1976
Network composed of
researchers from major
metropolitan areas of the
United States and selected
foreign countries which
meets semiannually to
discuss the current
epidemiology of drug abuse.
Primary mission of the work
group is to provide ongoing
community-level surveillance
of drug abuse through
analysis of quantitative and
qualitative research data.
E-Cigarettes
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Smokeless, battery operated devices
designed to deliver nicotine with flavorings
or other chemicals to the lungs of users
without burning tobacco.
Delivers highly addictive nicotine, which
has a variety of negative health effects, and
may even promote the growth of some
cancers.
FDA analysis of some e-cigarette products
found low levels of nitrosamines, ethylene
glycol and diethylene glycol, all associated
with cancer and other health risks, as well
as potentially toxic metal nanoparticles
from the vaporizing mechanism.
Still unclear how “safe” they are.
E-Cigarettes and THC
Vaporizers
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Heats marijuana below
combustion point.
It is perceived to be a
"cleaner" way of smoking.
Devices have also been shown
to release ammonia which,
when inhaled, can cause
irritation and central nervous
system effects, as well as
asthma and bronchial spasms.
N-bomb
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25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and
25B-NBOMe are three
synthetic substances recently
encountered on the designer
drug market.
These substances have been
encountered as powders, liquid
solutions, laced on edible items,
and soaked onto blotter
papers.
Being sold as legal substitutes
for LSD or mescaline.
Molly
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Slang for “molecular”.
Pure crystalline powder form of the club
drug MDMA (3-4
methylenedioxymethamphetamine), which
in pill form is known as ecstasy.
MDMA in any form produces energy and
euphoria in users but also may dangerously
affect body temperature and cause
confusion, depression, and sleep problems.
Users may be seeking out Molly to avoid
the adulterants or substitutes known to be
commonly found in pills sold as ecstasy,
such as caffeine, methamphetamine, and
other harmful drugs.
Krokodil
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Used as a cheap heroin substitute in
poor rural areas of Russia.
DEA has not yet confirmed any
Krokokil in this country.
Synthetic form of a heroin-like drug
called desomorphine that is made
by combining codeine tablets with
iodine, gasoline, paint thinner,
hydrochloric acid, lighter fluid and
red phosphorus.
Gets its name from the scaly, graygreen dead skin that forms at the
site of an injection.
The flesh destroyed by krokodil
becomes gangrenous, and, in some
cases, limb amputation has been
necessary to save a user’s life.
Cough Syrup with Codeine and Promethazine
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Syrup, Purple Drank, Sizzurp, Lean
Referenced frequently in rap music
beginning in the late 90s.
Codeine is an opioid that can
produce relaxation and euphoria
when consumed in sufficient
quantities.
Promethazine is an antihistamine
that also acts as a sedative.
Codeine and other opioids
present a high risk of fatal
overdose due to their effect of
depressing the central nervous
system.
Mixing with alcohol greatly
increases this risk.
Anti-Energy Drinks
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Copy-cat of “Purple Drank”.
Commercial bottlers have now
produced non-codeine based legal
drinks like Sippin Syrup and other
anti-energy drinks (e.g. Drank,
Unwind, Mary Janes Relaxation
Soda), which are sold at
convenience stores and are
advertised as an “Extreme
Relaxation Beverage.”
These products contain sedatingtype ingredients, such as
melatonin, valerian root extract,
and kava kava.
Sold as a dietary supplement
rather than a beverage since
ingredients like melatonin and kava
kava aren’t FDA approved food
additives.
Neknominate
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Thought to have originated in
Australia, now sweeping the
world.
At least five men aged under
30 have died after drinking
deadly cocktails (no deaths in
US).
There appears to be no limit
to the type of drinks that are
consumed (alcohol, motor oil,
dead mouse, etc).
Variations seen in U.S. on
social media sites.
Kratom
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Derived from the Mitragyna Speciosa plant
indigenous to Southeast Asia, primarily in
Thailand.
Plant consists of a psychotropic molecule
called Mitragynine that’s been reported to
produce both stimulant and sedative effects,
depending on the dosage.
With higher doses, Kratom mimics an opiate
with sedative effects and euphoria.
Negative side effects include nausea, sweating,
itching, dry mouth and constipation.
Long-term use can potentially result in
anorexia, insomnia, weight loss and in some
cases psychotic episodes, such as confusion,
delusions and hallucinations.
DEA’s Office of Diversion Control states
Kratom is a drug and chemical of concern
with no legitimate medical use, but it remains
legal to sell and use.
Questions??
MSgt Jason R Henke
Missouri National Guard
Counterdrug Task Force