Abstract
The study was aimed to analyze information posted by users of synthetic opioids on Polish online drug discussion forums. Special emphasis was given to sources of drugs and their availability, routes of administration, dosages, expected and toxic effects. 6,143 reports related to synthetic opioids, posted between 2005 and mid 2019 on three widely available popular Polish online forums devoted to psychoactive substances, i.e., hyperreal.info/talk, dopek.info and forum.dopalamy, were collected and analyzed. The article presents data on three most popular opioids, i.e., fentanyl, butyrfentanyl and furanylfentanyl. Fentanyl was the most widely used and relatively easily accessible synthetic opioid in Poland. Butyrfentanyl and furanylfentanyl were far less popular. The main source of fentanyl was diversion of medicines, notably transdermal patches. Fentanyl, butyrfentanyl and furanylfentanyl are administered orally, buccally, sublingually, intranasally, by inhalation and intravenously. Concomitant use of fentanyl and its derivatives with other psychoactive compounds increases the risk of severe adverse effects. Our study contributed to amore comprehensive understanding of problems related to abuse of fentanyl, butyrfentanyl and furanylfentanyl in Poland. In the light of the relatively high popularity of pharmaceutical fentanyl used for non-medical purposes, there is an urgent need for more strict control over illegal sales of fentanyl transdermal preparations via the Internet, as well as disposal of used patches. Furthermore, patients using fentanyl should be warned that giving it to another person is against the law, and may lead to development of addiction and other serious health consequences. It is important to educate the society in order to increase awareness of the problem of opioid use, especially by young people, and to pay attention to signals which may indicate addiction among family members.
Highlights
Recent years have seen a rapid and continuous growth in the availability and use of new psychoactive substances (NPS), in Poland called ‛dopalacze’ (‛boosters’)
Our study contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of problems related to abuse of fentanyl, butyrfentanyl and furanylfentanyl in Poland
The current study provides information on the ‛recreational’ use of three synthetic opioids: fentanyl, butyrfentanyl and furanylfentanyl, available on Polish Internet forums related to drugs
Summary
Recent years have seen a rapid and continuous growth in the availability and use of new psychoactive substances (NPS), in Poland called ‛dopalacze’ (‛boosters’). As a result of the latest amendment to the Act on counteracting drug addiction [2], the term of new psychoactive substances applicable in Poland has been updated and it is complementary to the cited above. Between 2009 and 2018 a total of 899 NPS were reported to the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime [3]. In line with these data, in the years 2005–2018, the European Union Early Warning System notified the appearance of 687 NPS, of which 55 were observed in 2018 [4]. Six major categories of NPS may be distinguished: 1. Synthetic cannabinomimetics (synthetic cannabinoids) that mimic effects of cannabis
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