The share of new "designer" drugs is growing in the drug consumption structure

February 24, Vitebsk / Sergey Kochetov - BELTA /. The structure of consumed drugs is gradually changing, with an increasing share of new, so-called designer drugs, which causes particular concern among narcologists. Oleg Skobelev, a psychiatrist-narcologist at the Vitebsk Regional Psychoneurological Dispensary, announced this at a press conference today, according to a BELTA correspondent. Recently emerging analog psychoactive substances represent the latest developments in the evolution of psychoactive chemical substances. When consumed, these chemical compounds produce effects similar to those of substances such as ecstasy, cocaine, cannabis, etc. "Up to a certain point, analog psychoactive substances are legal because they simply don't have time to be included in the official list of narcotic and psychotropic substances, which is why they pose the greatest danger," Oleg Skobelev emphasized. "Today, the process of creating new drugs, considering technological advancements, is rapid, and as a result, a new formula is obtained, it starts killing people, but legally the substance has not yet acquired the status of a drug," he added. The list of "designer" drugs is growing rapidly. As an example, Oleg Skobelev cited "legal cocaine" and "legal ecstasy," which are most often sold as bath salts, biologically active supplements for potency enhancement, or for weight loss. These psychostimulants cause a long-lasting state of euphoria and very severe withdrawal symptoms. Not long ago, smoking aromatic herbal mixtures, known as spice (synthetic cannabinoid), were distributed almost legally. Chemical analysis of this mixture revealed at least three narcotic components. This substance is extremely dangerous and toxic, capable of rapidly forming addiction and causing severe consequences for the psyche, and can provoke the development of cancer and schizophrenia. "Currently, all these substances are banned in Belarus," Oleg Skobelev noted. In terms of prevalence in the Vitebsk region, drugs of the opioid group (opium, heroin, methadone) lead, accounting for 46.8%. About 23% of registered drug users consume cannabinoids, and almost another 25% consume psychostimulants and other types of drugs (hallucinogens, amphetamines). According to the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Regional Executive Committee, in 2010, 499 crimes related to illicit drug trafficking were detected in the region, including almost 130 serious criminal offenses. A total of 79 kg of narcotic and psychotropic substances were seized, including over 30 kg of poppy straw, more than 19 kg of marijuana, and 27 kg of heroin.-0-