Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) have proliferated at an unprecedented rate and have been reported from over a 100 countries worldwide. The NPS market is characterized by persistence (substances that emerge, spread and remain for several years) and change (substances that appear for a short time or only in local settings). The extent of NPS use remains unknown as new substances often emerge quickly, with patterns of use ranging from occasional, experimental and recreational use to problematic drug use. NPS are often sold as controlled drugs or as packaged NPS products that frequently contain mixtures of a variety of NPS. This exposes NPS users to additional serious health risks, as little or no scientific information is available to determine the adverse effects that these combinations may have. While the international community has made some progress in controlling NPS, significant efforts are necessary to effectively address the NPS phenomenon. These include enhancing the capacity for the detection and identification of NPS, developing monitoring systems that collect data on NPS, legislative responses, effective law enforcement initiatives and health interventions to reduce both the supply and the demand of NPS.
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