Pavlina A Andreeva-Gateva1, Vasilka H Nankova2, Violina T Angelova3, Tzvetelin N Gatev4. 1. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pre-clinical Study Center, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University Sofia, 2, Zdrave str., 1421 Sofia, Bulgaria; Department of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Pediatrics, Epidemiology, Infection Diseases and Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University "St. Kliment Okridsky", 1, Koziak str., 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria. Electronic address: pandreeva_gateva@outlook.com. 2. Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University Sofia, 2, Zdrave str., 1421 Sofia, Bulgaria. 3. Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University Sofia, 2, Zdrave str., 1421 Sofia, Bulgaria. 4. Department of Forensic Medicine, Military Hospital, 3 "St Georgi Sofiiski str", 1421 Sofia, Bulgaria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The manufacturing, distribution and use of synthetic cannabimimetics (SCs) have seen dynamic changes over the last few years, and have had an unprecedented growth. Forensic toxicologists in Bulgaria faced SCs for the first time in 2010, as compounds detected in seized blends. METHODS: This is a retrospective survey on the SCs seized in Bulgaria 2010-2013. RESULTS: The number of SCs increased progressively: 17 cases in 2010, 38 in 2011, 75 in 2012, and 80 in 2013. In Bulgaria, from 2010 to 2013, there were two cases of toxicologically proved intoxications (with JWH-018). JWH-018 was the most often detected SC in Bulgaria for the whole studied period. The most popular combination detected in 2013 was: UR-144+MAM-2201 with or without STS-135. Highly potent halogenated SCs appeared in 2013. 5F-AКB-48 (nearly 3 kg) was seized in 12 cases. Published data suggest that SCs may have more severe side effects than marijuana. Parallel adaptation of Bulgarian law with adoption of analog laws tried to meet the increased forensic challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Over the last decade, the rapid growth in the number and types of SCs distributed in Europe has challenged the capacity, and sometimes the credibility, of identification, risk assessment and control systems. Forensic toxicology needs to adapt in a timely manner, providing scientific basis of legislative changes.
BACKGROUND: The manufacturing, distribution and use of synthetic cannabimimetics (SCs) have seen dynamic changes over the last few years, and have had an unprecedented growth. Forensic toxicologists in Bulgaria faced SCs for the first time in 2010, as compounds detected in seized blends. METHODS: This is a retrospective survey on the SCs seized in Bulgaria 2010-2013. RESULTS: The number of SCs increased progressively: 17 cases in 2010, 38 in 2011, 75 in 2012, and 80 in 2013. In Bulgaria, from 2010 to 2013, there were two cases of toxicologically proved intoxications (with JWH-018). JWH-018 was the most often detected SC in Bulgaria for the whole studied period. The most popular combination detected in 2013 was: UR-144+MAM-2201 with or without STS-135. Highly potent halogenated SCs appeared in 2013. 5F-AКB-48 (nearly 3 kg) was seized in 12 cases. Published data suggest that SCs may have more severe side effects than marijuana. Parallel adaptation of Bulgarian law with adoption of analog laws tried to meet the increased forensic challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Over the last decade, the rapid growth in the number and types of SCs distributed in Europe has challenged the capacity, and sometimes the credibility, of identification, risk assessment and control systems. Forensic toxicology needs to adapt in a timely manner, providing scientific basis of legislative changes.