“New Psychoactive Substances” (NPS)

Abstract

Starting in the 1980 s the popularity of designer-drugs of the “ecstasy”-type increased, predominantly in the techno- and rave-scene. During that time the list of psychoactive compounds sold as “ecstasy” covered just a few substances with MDMA (methylendioxymethamphetamine) as the most common active agent. All these substances have been banned worldwide during this decade. Safe analytical procedures for identification and quantitation of these drugs in urine, blood and hair have been established.