28 substances prohibited in designer drugs

Federal Government includes 28 active substances in the 26th new regulation of the Narcotics Act

07/28/2012

The Ordinance of the German Narcotics Act (BtMG) has been expanded by 28 psychoactive substances. The Federal Government wants to take this step offensive against designer drugs or "legal highs" called proceed. Critics complain that the new regulation is inadequate, since numerous active substances were not included.

The designer drugs are sold in special "head shops" and online shops often downplaying as "herbal mixtures", "bath additive" or as so-called "air freshener". Behind the inconspicuous trade terms hide intoxicating and often artificially produced substances, some of which can have severe health effects on the most young consumers. Almost every week, new products with similar-looking compounds are launched on the market. The manufacturers try to avoid possible prohibitions.

28 psychoactive substances banned
In collaboration with the Federal Drug Commissioner, the Federal Ministry of Health has now included 28 psychoactive substances in the Ordinance of the Narcotics Act (BtMG). "The new regulation came into force to a great extent from today", as the Federal Government Drug Commissioner, Mechthild Dyckmans, explained at the presentation of the regulation. Thus, the designer drugs referred to as "legal highs" are no longer legal, "as their active ingredients are now banned". So far, numerous products were legally purchasable, so that should now be "finally over," said Dyckmans.

Prohibited were "the synthetic derivatives of amphetamine, cocaine, cannabinoids and cathinone," according to Dyckmans. The latter substance can also be found in khat leaves. The leaves are consumed as a "folk drug" in Yemen and some parts of Africa, among others. In these countries, the consumers in the plant see more of a kind of stimulant, comparable to the drunk coffee in this country.

Also a pain medication was added to the prohibition list
Also affected by the 26th amendment to the BtMG is the liquid painkiller "Tilidine" from the group of opioids. With a transitional period of six months, the drug will be included in the regulation. "This should finally prevent the abuse of medication," as a spokesman for the Federal Government emphasized. The drug "Tilidine" is actually used in severe pain in clinics. Many media have reported in the past that especially young people with the help of drug prescription fakes abused the drug as a drug.

Incalculable damage to health
Consumption of the currently banned synthetically manufactured drugs is associated with "incalculable health risks", as Dyckmans explained. Because the manufacturers of designer drugs usually react very quickly to prohibition orders and simply invent new substances, the ban on other variants and active ingredients is already being planned. Dyckmans confirmed relevant media reports that speak of a "race" between producers and health authorities. However, the authorities will continue to ensure that new drug variants are withdrawn, according to the Drug Commissioner.

Not only since being admitted to the BtMG, the authorities are observing the laboratory modifications of already banned drug substances. Numerous cases of patients have become known in which the consumers of these substances suffered from tachycardia, nausea and vomiting, acute circulatory failure, loss of orientation, paralysis, drug-induced psychosis and delusions. At least three patients have died as a result of the use of fashion drugs in Germany in the last three years.

Prohibitions show effects
According to official data, such prohibitions actually have an effect because the hitherto easily obtainable synthetic drugs are no longer available. For example, the Federal Government's Drug and Addiction Report 2011 reports from a representative survey of adolescents in Germany that the intake of 15- to 18-year-old schoolchildren decreased after a ban of three percent to one percent. In 2009, state authorities banned some of the herbal "legal" herbal mixtures. Previous reports were from numerous clinics that reported some severe health damage to mostly adolescent patients after consuming cannabinoid-containing substances.

Insufficient new regulation of the BtMG
Critics complain that despite the inclusion of numerous substances in the Narcotics Act, a "self-congratulation" of the Federal Government take place. "If one substance is banned, then five new ones emerge", writes for example the initiative "Hanf Journal". On the Internet, such artificially produced drugs can be ordered "equals kilowise", because many substances are not included in the new amendment of the BtMG. The initiative mentions, among others, cannabinoids such as AKB-48, 5FUR-144, UR-144 and so-called research chemicals such as A-PVP, pentedrone, pentylon, 4-mec, methoxetamine, 4-fa, 5-meo-mpt, 3, 4-dmmc, 2-fma, 2-dpmp, 6-apb, ethylphenidate and methiopropamine. The said compositions are still obtainable, so the initiative. (Sb)

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