New Psychoactive Substances: Evolution in the Exchange of Information and Innovative Legal Responses in the European Union

Maria Rosaria Varì, Giulio Mannocchi, Roberta Tittarelli, Laura Leondina Campanozzi, Giulio Nittari, Alessandro Feola, Federica Umani Ronchi and Giovanna Ricci
Additional contact information
Maria Rosaria Varì: National Center on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
Giulio Mannocchi: International School of Advanced Studies (ISAS), University of Camerino, Piazza Cavour 19/f, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Roberta Tittarelli: Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy
Laura Leondina Campanozzi: Research Unit of Bioethics and Humanities, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
Giulio Nittari: School of Pharmacy and Health Products, Telemedicine and Telepharmacy Center, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Alessandro Feola: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Luciano Armanni 5, 80138 Naples, Italy
Federica Umani Ronchi: Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy
Giovanna Ricci: Medico Legal Section, School of Law, University of Camerino, Piazza Cavour 19/f, 62032 Camerino, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-15

Abstract: At the end of 2019, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction was monitoring around 790 new psychoactive substances, more than twice the total number of controlled substances under the United Nations Conventions. These substances, which are not subject to international drug controls, include a wide range of molecules, including the assortment of drugs such as synthetic cannabinoids, stimulants, opiates, and benzodiazepines. Most of them are sold as “legal” substitutes for illicit drugs, while others are intended for small groups willing to experiment with them in order to know their possible new effects. At the national level, various measures have been taken to control new substances and many European countries have responded with specific legislation in favor of consumer safety and by extending or adapting existing drug laws to incorporate the new psychoactive substances. Moreover, since 1997, an early warning system has been created in Europe for identifying and responding quickly to the risks of new psychoactive substances. In order to establish a quicker and more effective system to address the criminal activities associated with new dangerous psychoactive substances, the European legal framework has considerably changed over the years.

Keywords: new psychoactive substances; early warning system; European drug legislation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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