Con Lafferty1, Linda Smith2, Alison Coull3, Jim Shanley2,4. 1. Mental Health Nurse/Blood-borne Virus Prevention Worker, Substance Misuse Directorate, Harm Reduction Team, Spittal St Centre, UK con.lafferty@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk. 2. Mental Health Nurse/Blood-borne Virus Prevention Worker, Substance Misuse Directorate, Harm Reduction Team, Spittal St Centre, UK. 3. Specialist Nurse, Substance Misuse Directorate, Harm Reduction Team, Spittal St Centre, UK. 4. Manager, Substance Misuse Directorate, Harm Reduction Team, Spittal St Centre, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: New psychoactive substances are causing increasing harm across the UK but the use of new psychoactive substance by injecting has become a significant problem within Lothian since the beginning of 2014. Data indicate a rapid rise in the number of existing drug injectors, particularly heroin injectors, moving to new psychoactive substance injecting. This paper reports the experiences within Lothian of a sudden increase in injecting of ethylphenidate over one year. A temporary class drug order was placed on ethylphenidate on 10 April 2015, and as yet the effects of this are unknown. METHODS: Data specifically relating to new psychoactive substance recorded during injecting equipment provision transactions conducted by the NHS are reported. A survey was utilised to gather more detailed data from new psychoactive substance injectors. RESULTS: Injection of new psychoactive substance, including ethylphenidate has had significant adverse effects on physical and mental health. Risky behaviour such as sharing of equipment is known, and there are risks of transmission of infections. CONCLUSION: The rapid increase in injecting ethylphenidate has had a major impact on injecting equipment provision services, health services and public health. More work is required to identify routes to recovery.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: New psychoactive substances are causing increasing harm across the UK but the use of new psychoactive substance by injecting has become a significant problem within Lothian since the beginning of 2014. Data indicate a rapid rise in the number of existing drug injectors, particularly heroin injectors, moving to new psychoactive substance injecting. This paper reports the experiences within Lothian of a sudden increase in injecting of ethylphenidate over one year. A temporary class drug order was placed on ethylphenidate on 10 April 2015, and as yet the effects of this are unknown. METHODS: Data specifically relating to new psychoactive substance recorded during injecting equipment provision transactions conducted by the NHS are reported. A survey was utilised to gather more detailed data from new psychoactive substance injectors. RESULTS: Injection of new psychoactive substance, including ethylphenidate has had significant adverse effects on physical and mental health. Risky behaviour such as sharing of equipment is known, and there are risks of transmission of infections. CONCLUSION: The rapid increase in injecting ethylphenidate has had a major impact on injecting equipment provision services, health services and public health. More work is required to identify routes to recovery.
Authors: Janice Pettie; Allan Burt; Duleeka W Knipe; Hazel Torrance; Margaret Dow; Karen Osinski; Robert Greig; Diletta Sabatini; Kate Easterford; James Dear; Michael Eddleston Journal: Br J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2018-07-20 Impact factor: 4.335
Authors: Meridith T Robins; Arryn T Blaine; Jiwon E Ha; Amy L Brewster; Richard M van Rijn Journal: Front Neurosci Date: 2019-02-19 Impact factor: 4.677