New psychoactive substances: new service provider challenges

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a 6-month study of New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) use in Manchester, UK. Drawing on interviews with 53 NPS users and 31 stakeholders, the paper documents a notable shift in the drug using landscape. It highlights how the homeless community – traditionally associated with alcohol dependency and problematic intravenous heroin and/or crack cocaine use – are now switching to smoking synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists, while men who have sex with men (MSM) and engage in chemsex – who have traditionally been strongly associated with the recreational use of ecstasy and other stimulants – are now developing problematic intravenous drug using habits. The paper goes on to discuss the implications of this shift for existing models of treatment service delivery. In particular, it outlines the necessity for treatment services to develop innovative engagement strategies, alongside clearer referral pathways and improved service integration.

Keywords:

• New psychoactive substances
• synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists
• chemsex
• substance use treatment services

Notes

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 NPS are either newly manufactured to mimic the effects of traditional drugs (e.g. synthetic cathinone’s and SCRA receptor agonists) or pre-existing drugs used in a novel way (e.g. nitrous oxide and ketamine).

2 Other recreational drugs can also play a role in chemsex, although they are deemed to be less prevalent and secondary to the use of these three main substances.

3 ‘Slamming’ is the terms used by MSM to describe the intravenous injection of mephedrone and crystal methamphetamine.

4 The REACH clinic is Manchester’s dedicated service for chemsex, located in the sexual health clinic.

5 PrEP stands for ‘pre-exposure prophylaxis’. PEP stands for ‘post-exposure prophylaxis’. PrEP is an HIV medication taken before an exposure to prevent any possible transmission. PEP are HIV drugs taken after you have had an exposure. This reduces the chance of an infection.