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Researchers from the (UniSA) have issued an alert on the use of designer drug substitutes, following a 75% increase in detection of synthetic stimulant pentylone in wastewater treatment plants across Australia.

In a 鈥� part of the 聽鈥� the UniSA researchers identified 20 different novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in plants across the country (between 22 and 23 Feb) with pentylone detected at every collection site. Other NPS, and , were also commonly detected.

Pentylone (street name 鈥榖ath salts鈥�) is said to be a highly potent and unpredictable synthetic cathinone*, producing similar effects to stimulants such as or This group of drugs is said to produce stronger effects that wear off faster, leading to more frequent use.

NPS use 鈥� trends and preferences

UniSA researcher Dr Emma Jaunay said any changes to drug levels in wastewater can provide an early warning for NPS circulating in the illicit drug market.

鈥淣ovel psychoactive substances are drugs that have been designed to mimic established illicit drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine, MDMA and LSD,鈥� Jaunay said.

鈥淭hese types of drugs are unregulated and untested, and by nature their chemical composition is constantly changing to stay ahead of the law. When they first appear, they鈥檙e commonly called 鈥榣egal highs鈥� because they are not yet classed as controlled or prohibited substances.

鈥淚n this study, we tested wastewater from across Australia to determine what type of NPS were being used across the year. Of the 59 different NPS we looked for, 20 were found in wastewater across the study聽鈥� some occasionally, while others were at every site for multiple collections.

鈥淭he most common group of NPS detected were synthetic cathinones, also known as 鈥榖ath salts鈥�, which mimic the effect of stimulant drugs like MDMA.

鈥淪pecifically, we detected an increase of pentylone across Australia, with frequencies rising from 25% in April in 2022 to 100% across all states and territories by December that same year**.

鈥淚nterestingly, we found pentylone displaced eutylone, which highlights the constantly evolving nature of NPS and how quickly drug preferences change.鈥�

Raising awareness

This study is unique in that the sample intentionally avoided special events and holiday periods to determine more typical trends across the year, researchers suggested.

鈥淐hanges to drug levels present in wastewater can provide early signals about drug use and raise awareness of new drugs with harm potential,鈥� Jaunay said.

鈥淩outine monitoring provides valuable insights about illicit drugs and their 鈥榣egal鈥� counterparts before overdoses and fatalities occur.鈥�

*^{Synthetic cathinones such as pentylone, eutylone and phenibut are mostly white or brown powders, but can also be in crystalline form, capsules or tablets. They can be swallowed, snorted or injected with effects appearing within 15-45 minutes and lasting from 2-4 hours.
Additional illicit drug data here: .}

Image credit: iStock.com/Diy13