Presentation from Dr Ornella Corazza and Zoe Davey about the RedNeT project; an ICT prevention service addressing the use of novel compounds in vulnerable individuals

1. +
Recreational Drugs European
Network: an ICT prevention
service addressing the use of
novel compounds in vulnerable
individuals
Zoe Davey Dr Ornella Corazza
ReDNet Project ReDNet Project
Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London School of Pharmacy, University of Hertfordshire
zoedavey@kcl.ac.uk o.corazza@herts.ac.uk
Drug Education Forum AGM, London, UK
4th March 2010

2. +
Overview of the ReDNet Project
Dr Ornella Corazza
University of Hertfordshire
o.corazza@herts.ac.uk

3. +
ReDNet Project
Initial Situation: Problem
Analysis
 Hundreds of websites dedicated to the dissemination of new
drugs and provide detailed ‘recipes’ for synthesizing,
growing, and consuming a variety
 These drugs are constantly appearing in more sophisticated
forms
 Lack of scientific knowledge
 Can remain unregulated for a long period of time
 Often sold as ‘something’ else
 Young people targeted
 Attractive messages, accessible
 New products alerts via SMS, email, etc

4. +
ReDNet Project
Initial Situation: Problem
Analysis
In the last decade there has been a dramatic change in the
social context of substance misuse, which has shown rapid and
unexpected developments. Not only have the types of
recreational drugs changed, but also the modalities of intake,
and the places where they are purchased and consumed
(Gordon et al., 2006; Schepis et al., 2008; Schifano et al., 2006;
Corazza et al 2009).

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ReDNet Project
Aims
 To develop an integrated ICT prevention approach focused
on novel synthetic and herbal compounds and combinations,
targeted at young and vulnerable individuals.
 To investigate the potential of ICT tools in drug prevention
approaches focusing on novel psychoactive compounds

6. +
ReDNet Project
Working Hypothesis
 Traditional forms of intervention appear to be negatively
appraised by those ‘at risk’:
 Fear based and moralistic
 Theoretical and didactic
 Focused on traditional drugs (which are not the only interest of
young people)

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ReDNet Project
Objectives
 To develop specific, balanced, non judgmental prevention/
harm minimisation messages
 To pilot a number of ICT tools that are informed by available
literature, accurate and up-to-date information on novel
psychoactive compounds, and input from the target group(s)
 To assess the feasibility of a variety of the implemented ICT
tools /prevention approaches

8. +
ReDNet Project
 Target Groups
 Young people (16-24) who don’t have access to appropriate drug
information and/or treatment services (the online community, high school
students, university students etc)
 Health and other professionals working directly with the above group who
are often no up-to-date with information about new drugs and novel
compounds
 Methods
 To develop and pilot a number of approaches using different ICT tools
e.g., SMS, Social networking (Facebook/Twitter), Multimedia ( YouTube),
Smartphone applications (iPhone), Virtual worlds (Secondlife)
 Involve target groups(s) in the development of appropriate content
(taking into account possible iatrogenic effects)
 Use the Psychonaut Web Mapping system as a source of information on
new drugs and emerging trends (continue to update this resource)

9. +
ReDNet Project
 Expected outcomes
 Raise awareness of novel compounds and the potential harms associated
with their use
 To have contributed to the development of the first ICT prevention model
of its kind that is functional at the European level
 To have developed a model for effectively targeting young people,
making them more aware of the health risks associated with the use of
‘legal highs’ which are perceived as ‘safe’ by a number of users
 To enhance scientific knowledge and understanding of novel recreational
drugs amongst relevant professionals
 To have piloted and assessed the risk associated with the dissemination of
information on novel compounds to young people

10. +
ReDNet Project
ReDNet Research Group Project Details
University of Herfordshire, UK 24 months (start date April 2010)
Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College Funded by the EU Executive Agency for
London, UK
Health and Consumers in the framework of
Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, the Public Health Programme [2009 12 26]
Poland
Main Beneficiary:
Bergen Clinics Foundation, Norway
Professor Fabrizio Schifano
De Sleutel, Belgium University of Hertfordshire
College Lane
Servizio Salute Regione Marche, Italy
Hatfield
Consorci Mar Parc de Salut, Spain Hertfordshire
UK
LVR, University of Duisberg-Essen,
Germany
f.schifano@herts.ac.uk
National Institute for Drug Prevention,
Hungary
DrugScope UK

11. +
Drugs on the Internet
Dr Ornella Corazza
School of Pharmacy
University of Hertfordshire
o.corazza@herts.ac.uk

12. + Drugs on the Internet
Examples from the Psychonaut Web Mapping Project
2008-2009
 412 compounds
 Technical Reports
 Salvia divinorum  Phalaris Arundinacea
 Spice  Ephedra
 Mephedrone  Kola Nut
 Bromo-dragonfly  Benzydamine (Tantum Rosa)
 Lyrica (Pregabalin)  HU-210
 Sassafras  Sinicuichi
 Wild Dagga  GBL, GHB, 1,4-BDO
 Gotu Kola  2CB
 Jurema  Peyote
 Happy Caps  MDPV
 Norspan  5-MeO-AET
 Herkinorin  JWH-018
 Minikikke/Superkikke  JWH-073
 4-AcO-MET  Ikathazo
 Syrian Rue  Papaver somniferum
 5-MeO-MiPT

13. + Psychonaut Web Mapping Project
Technical Report

14. + Psychonaut Web Mapping Project
Example

15. + Psychonaut Web Mapping Project
Example

16. + Psychonaut Web Mapping Project
Example

17. + Lyrica (Pregabalin)

18. + Lyrica (Pregabalin)

19. + Prescription drugs and other
 Darvon
 Prozac
 Lyrica
 Ritalin
 Viagra
 Anabolic Steroids
 Barbiturates

20. + Online buyers often can
 Contact sellers directly
 Get alerts about new products advertised by the seller via
text messages, or instant messages
 Email product to a friend

21. + Second Life

22. +
Emerging trends
Further results of the Psychonaut Web Mapping Project
Zoe Davey
Institute of Psychiatry
King’s College London
zoe.davey@kcl.ac.uk

23. + Beta-ketones
 Synthetic stimulant compounds sharing psychoactive properties of cocaine,
MDMA (ecstasy), and/or amphetamines
 Sold as ‘research chemicals’ as well as commercially as ‘plant feeder’, ‘bath
salts’, ‘multivitamins’ and/or ‘not for human consumption’
 Examples include
 Mephedrone – structurally similar to methcathinone (beta-ketone analogue of
methamphetamine)
 Methedrone (bk-PMMA) – beta-ketone analogue of PMMA (structurally similar to PMA)
 Methylone (bk-MDMA) – beta-ketone analogue of MDMA
 Flephedrone (4-FMC) – analogue of methcathinone
 Butylone (bk-MBDB) – beta-ketone analogue of MBDB (close analogue of MDMA)
 Ethylone (bk-MDEA) – beta-ketone analogue of MDEA (close analogue of MDMA)
 Buphedrone – analogue of methcathinone
 Ethcathinone – analogue of methcathinone

24. + Mephedrone
Miaow, 4-MMC, MMCat, Meph, Bubbles,
Drone, Rush etc.
 4-methylmethcathinone
 (Semi-)synthetic compound related to cathinone (identified in khat)
 Appeared online in or around 2007
 Popularity in Sweden and Denmark in 2008
 Accelerated rise in popularity in 2009 (especially in the UK)
 Increased media attention, fatalities and non-fatal overdoses
 Compared variously to amphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and cocaine – has
stimulant, empathogenic/entactogenic, and hallucinogenic properties
 Controlled in: Australia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Israel, Norway,
Romania, Sweden

25. + Mephedrone
‘Plant feeder’, ‘Bath Salts’, ‘Multivitamins’,
and/or ‘Not for human consumption’
‘Intended to promote speedy growth
in all plants without compromising
quality. Guidance: Large shrubs use 1
feeder each, smaller shrubs and
shoots use half a feeder. It is not
recommended that you use more
 Widely available to purchase online than 2 feeders in a single day as this
 “buy mephedrone”  105,000 hits in Google could have adverse effects on your
plants. NOT FOR HUMAN
CONSUMPTION’
 Marketed online and via social networking
site (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) ‘Relax and soak away Concentrated
bath salts, only use as advised,
 Commonly sold as powders or in capsules PLEASE do not use this as SNUFF!!!
Add the contents to a hot bath to
 Sold as not for human consumption to avoid naturally soften the water which will
leave you feeling very soothed and
existing legislation such as the Medicines act relaxed. This is used to mimic the
natural hot springs of the greek sea.
 Purchase price: NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION’
 £10 for 2 capsules (250-300mg capsules)
 £10-15 for 1g powder

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 ~40% of UK respondents to the 2009/2010
MixMag Drug Survey had tried the drug
 Most commonly administered orally
(bombing, gums, dissolved), intranasally
(snorting)
 Dose usually varies between 100mg – 1g,
but can be upwards of 4g (incl. redose)
 Reportedly taken in combination with a
variety of other compounds, including:
 Alcohol
 Other research chemicals
 Cocaine
 MDMA
 Ketamine (‘Challenge’)
 Heroin (similar to ‘speedball’
 Cannabis, Kratom, depressants (during
comedown period)

27. + Mephedrone
Stimulant, empathogenic, and hallucinogenic
effects
Desired psychoactive effects Side effects
 Euphoria  Anorexia
 Empathy  Nausea
 Sociability  Respiratory difficulties
 Stimulation  Muscular clenching
 Intensification of sensory  Ulcerations
stimulation  Amnesia
 Mild sexual stimulation  Dermatitis like symptoms
 Mood enhancement  Discolouration of the joints
 Hallucinations  Anxiety
 Similar to cocaine, MDMA, and  Depression
Amphetamine

28. + Mephedrone
Pharmacology and toxicology
 Little is known about the pharmacology and toxicology of mephedrone in humans
 Limited to case studies, short reports, and focus groups
 According to users there is an addictive quality to the substance
 Binges and redosing in a single session common
 Reported development of tolerance
 Five reported fatalities in which mephedrone has been implicated
 Denmark, May 2008
 Sweden, December 2008
 UK, November 2009 (14 year-old, female)
 UK, January 2010 (18 year-old, male)
 UK January 2010 (49 year-old female)
 Reported non-fatal overdoses in the UK

29. +
Contact
For further information about the ReDNet Project
or the Psychonaut Web Mapping Project
www.psychonautproject.eu
Dr Ornella Corazza
o.corazza@kcl.ac.uk
Zoe Davey
zoe.davey@kcl.ac.uk
info@psychonautproject.eu