SYNTHETIC DRUGS

Subject: Science & tech

Context: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana and Tamil Nadu accounted for the majority of drug seizures during 2019-20.

Concept:

• The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence annual report said that 72 seizures are covered under Narcotic drugs & Psychotropic substance act.

Synthetic Drugs:

• Synthetic drugs are chemical compounds produced in a laboratory. They can be produced commercially by drug manufacturers for valid medical purposes and are diverted from legal channels or produced illegally in clandestine laboratories for illicit markets worldwide.
• When produced clandestinely, synthetic drugs aim to mimic or even enhance the effects of natural illicit drugs, such as marijuana.
• Synthetic drugs could be addictive and pose a serious threat on the health of everyday individuals. Nevertheless, it is difficult for regulatory agencies to control or monitor synthetic drugs.
• Manufacturers often slightly modify the molecular structures of illegal or controlled substances to circumvent existing drug laws or labeled “not for human consumption” to mask their intended purpose and avoid regulatory oversight of the manufacturing process.
• Easy access, low prices and a misconception that synthetic drugs are “natural”, and harmless have likely contributed to synthetic drug abuse. Another contributing factor is the ability for synthetic drugs to circumvent standard drug tests that cannot easily detect many of the chemicals in the drug.

Types of Synthetic Drug:

• Based on their chemical composition, synthetic drugs are commonly divided into two categories:
• Cannabinoids such as K2 and Spice. Synthetic Cannabinoids are chemicals that mimic the effect of THC, the primary psychoactive active ingredient in marijuana.
• Stimulants such as Bath Salts. Most synthetic stimulants contain chemical compounds that mimic the effects of cocaine, LSD and methamphetamine. (Similar drugs include MDMA sometimes referred to as “ecstasy”, “molly”)