Designer drugs

USA

1920-1930s

After the largest states signed an agreement in 1925 under the International Opium Convention on the special control of the production and distribution of morphine, the production and sale of diacetylmorphine and other alternatives to morphine quickly began to gain momentum. The most notable among them were dibenzoylmorphine and acetylpropionylmorphine, which had effects similar to heroin, but did not fall under the prohibitions of the Convention. In order to control the trafficking of new drugs, the League of Nations Health Committee issued a series of resolutions. Ultimately, by 1930, the first provision on analogues was created, in which the legal regulation of all esters of morphine, as well as oxycodone and hydromorphone, was established ^[3] .

Another example of the use of designer drugs is the use of diethyl ether as a legal alternative to alcohol during the years of Prohibition in the United States ^[4] .

1960-1970s

After the massive spread of the psychedelic LSD-25 in the 1960s , the number of new synthetic hallucinogens is growing in the world. So, in San Francisco in 1967, a new strong psychedelic from the class of substituted amphetamines DOM appears ^[5] .

The end of the 1970s was marked by the appearance on the illegal market of various phencyclidine analogues (PCP) ^[6] . This stage in the history of designer drugs is characterized by the absence of clear legal principles to regulate the emergence of new analogues of narcotic substances. Despite this, in some cases, law enforcement agencies still manage to punish manufacturers and distributors of designer drugs. So, in 1973, Tim Scully and Nicholas Sand were convicted of creating ALD-52 , a chemical analogue of LSD-25 . It was proved in court that for the synthesis of psychedelics, the accused should have used LSD , therefore they worked with an illegal substance, although the substance itself, sold by chemists, did not fall under any of the prohibitions.

Early 1980s - 1990s

The term “designer drugs” appeared in the 1980s to denote various synthetic opioid drugs, mainly based on the fentanyl or meperedine molecules (for example, α-methylpentanil ), which appeared on the black market as heroin analogues ^[7] . One of these drugs, MPPP, sometimes contained MPTP impurities that caused brain damage identical to Parkinson's ^[8] . From an accidental overdose of the strongest analogue of heroin, alpha-methylpentanil ( White Chinese ), only one of the regions of Russia killed about 100 people ^[9] .

The term “designer drugs” gained wide popularity after the massive spread of MDMA (“ecstasy”) in the mid -1980s . By this time, the government had realized its powerlessness in regulating the trafficking and use of such drugs, and had passed a series of laws that allowed the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to control this area. In particular, MDMA was one of the first drugs on the first list of drugs. Subsequently, such analogs as 2C-B , AMT , BZP and others were included in this list ^[10] .

The “revival” of methamphetamine in the United States in the late 1980s and early 1990s has become a serious public problem. Strengthening precursor control, designed to reduce home (artisanal) drug production, ultimately led to the emergence of new alternatives to existing psychostimulants , the most notable of which were metcathinone and 4-methylaminorex ^[11] .

Late 1990s - 2004

At this time, the turnover of designer drugs was gaining global proportions, which was largely facilitated by their distribution via the Internet ^[12] . At this time, the euphemism of “ research chemicals” appears, introduced into circulation by sellers of designer drugs (in particular, psychedelics of the tryptamine and phenylethylamine family). The concept of "substances for research" was that the sale of chemicals intended supposedly for scientific research, and not for human consumption (labeled accordingly), does not fall under the law of the United States on analogues of narcotic drugs. Despite these measures, the DEA carried out a series of raids during which several supplier companies (JLF Primary Materials, RAC Research) were detained. The most famous operation to detain designer drug distributors was Operation Web Tryp, which ended in 2004 ^[13] . During the operation, 10 people were arrested, some suppliers and distributors of “research substances” in the US were liquidated, as well as two drug companies in India and China . After the operation, many online stores ceased operations, despite the legal status of their products in most countries of the world.

Many psychoactive substances sold during this period under the guise of “research substances” had chemical structural similarities with substances such as psilocybin and mescaline . The theoretical basis for the emergence of new designer drugs was the extensive chemical research conducted by pharmaceutical corporations, universities, and independent researchers over the course of the 20th century . One of the most famous researchers is Alexander Shulgin , who presented in his two major works TiHKAL and PiHKAL the synthesis and description of the action of hundreds of new psychoactive substances.

Most companies that distributed “research substances” supplied them in powder form, as distribution in tablet form could be considered illegal because this form could be used for human consumption. Active doses varied greatly depending on the substance, from a few micrograms to several hundred milligrams. The need for accurate measurement of the correct dosage was ignored in some cases, some consumers tried to find an effective dose by experiment, which caused negative effects after the use of psychoactive substances, less often fatal outcome. Cases of death from an overdose of new drugs as a rule gained great resonance in the media, which ultimately led to the ban on most designer drugs.

Some substances, such as 2C-B and 5-MeO-DiPT , were available in tablet form and gained widespread popularity on the black market.

2005-2011

During this period, many new designer drugs appeared, including a wide variety of new psychostimulants ( MDPV , MDMC, 4-MMC ), as well as psychedelics , depressants (such as methyl methaqualone and premazepam) and entactogens. Since the mid-2000s, synthetic cannabinoids , which are part of the so-called " smoking blends ", have been especially popular. The main active ingredient of such mixtures was most often the compound JWH-018 . Cannabinoids, CP 47.497 , HU-210 , and JWH-018 were later replaced by RCS-4, RCS-8, AB-001 and many others. In 2008-2009 Examinations were carried out, during which it became clear that the “mixes” owed their psychoactive effect not to plant components, as claimed by their manufacturers, but to synthetic substances ^[14] . After that, in many countries the first legislative acts prohibiting synthetic cannabinoids were adopted ^{[15] [16] [17]} .

Russia

2005-2009

In Russia, designer drugs are usually associated primarily with the so-called smoking blends, produced mainly in China, which appeared on the Russian black market in 2005 and gained wide popularity by 2007 ^[18] . Distributed mainly through the Internet (online stores, ads, specialized forums), and also freely sold in tobacco shops, smoking accessories stores, etc. By 2007, the turnover of “smoking mixtures” represented by numerous brands reached its peak, the mixture could be easily reached in almost any corner of the country ^[19] .

In January 2009, researchers from the University of Freiburg (Germany) found that the active substance of Spice , the most popular brand of “smoking blends” at that time, was synthetic cannabinoid CP 47.497 ^[14] . Until that time, manufacturers have stated that the effect of smoking mixtures is caused by natural components - motherwort, clover, sage, etc., thereby misleading consumers ^[20] . Prior to the examination, the content in the mixtures of synthetic components was hidden.

After the main active ingredient of the mixtures was revealed, legislative measures were introduced around the world to limit the turnover of synthetic cannabinoids . In April 2009, a decree of the chief state sanitary doctor of Russia was issued banning the circulation of a number of smoking mixtures and flavors due to the content of toxic substances in their composition ^[21] . In December 2009, JWH-018 and a number of other synthetic cannabinoids were added to the list of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances , the circulation of which is prohibited in the Russian Federation.

Along with the bans on smoking mixtures, active propaganda activity is launched in the media, during which data on the composition, consequences of the use of smoking mixtures and the number of fatal outcomes associated with their use ^{[22] [23] [24]} are repeatedly published.

Further, the government banned other synthetic cannabinoids: JWH-250 , JWH, RCS-4, RCS-8, ur-144.

2011-2012

By about 2009, all sorts of designer drugs of the stimulant and entactogen group began to enter the Russian legal drug market. Despite the abundance of brand names, the most commonly used drugs of Chinese and European origin were substances such as 4-MMC (mephedrone), 5-APB, methylone , MDPV mixed in various proportions with excipients ^{[25] [26]} . These drugs were distributed mainly through the Internet.

Additions to the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 681 ^[27] dated June 30, 1998 dated June 22, 2009 No. 507, dated December 31, 2009 No. 1186, dated April 21, 2010 No. 255, dated June 3, 2010 No. 398, dated June 30, 2010 No. 486, from July 29, 2010 No. 578, dated November 27, 2010 No. 934, almost all designer drugs in circulation by this time were included in the List of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors to be controlled in the Russian Federation .

After numerous bans that gave illegal illegal status to most designer drugs, the situation on the black market began to change dramatically. In 2011 and 2012, new bans were issued ^{[28] [29] [30] [31] [32]} . By this time, manufacturers and sellers have almost completely abandoned the practice of brand names and aggressive marketing, more and more often new substances carry only conventional code names - A9, E2, MD, GR-01 ^[33] . In addition, implementation methods are changing. Most designer drugs are sold through the Internet ^[34] .

By 2010-2011, specialized online forums became the main source of information on the topic of designer drugs, as well as a platform for their commercial distribution. By 2012, some of these sites are becoming serious players in the market for designer drugs, falling into the view of the media, the general public, and then law enforcement agencies. ^[35]

In July 2012, bill No. 89417-6 was adopted, which became law number 139-ФЗ (2012) ^[36] , which assumes filtering sites using the blacklist system and blocking prohibited Internet resources. The largest forums and sites devoted to psychoactive substances are blacklisted.

For unknown reasons, in several regions of Russia, including in the Moscow region, only the chemical analyzes are carried out at the Expert Forensic Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia , allowing only to find out the formula of the substance and whether it falls into the drug list. Pharmacological studies of new substances on living organisms are not included in the list of operations. At the same time, in a number of other regions of Russia (for example, the Perm Pharmacological Academy), there are technologies and practices that can successfully prove that new formulas belong to analogues of narcotic substances .

Clinical research data on the use of MDPV cathinones, known as “ bath salts ”, as well as smoking mixtures known as “ Smoking mixes ”, “Aroma mixes”, “Spice”, etc., containing synthetic cannabinoids JWH-18, JWH- 205 and its variations invariably prove the connection between their use and symptoms of prolonged psychotic states and psychoses. ^{[37] [38] [39] [40]}

The process of operational regulation and the prohibition of new designer drugs seems to be quite problematic from a legal point of view, especially when it comes to drugs that appear immediately after legislative measures are taken to replace recently banned substances ^[41] . In different countries, this problem is solved in different ways. It is noteworthy that in different regions of Russia the problem is also solved in different ways.

In the Russian Federation

Clause 4 of Article 14 of Federal Law No. 3-FZ “On Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances” of 8.01.1998 stipulates that the sale of analogues of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the Russian Federation is prohibited. ^[42] Derivatives of certain narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are also included in List I of narcotic drugs. According to the information letter of the Federal Drug Control Service of Russia “On Derivatives of Narcotic Drugs,” to resolve the issue of classifying the so-called “designer drugs” that appear in circulation, it is necessary and sufficient to establish the presence in the chemical structure of the substance under study of the “base” part of the molecule of the specified narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by other atoms (e.g., alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, aryl, acyl, amino, alkylamino, alkylthio, alkyloxy, hydro si, carbonyl group). ^[43]

In some regions where pharmacological studies are conducted, law enforcement agencies have a mechanism for attracting drug dealers under article 228 of the UKRF.

In other countries

In 1986, the United States amended the Controlled Substances Act ^[44] , which made it possible to preventively prohibit the production, distribution, and storage of new substances that are chemically and pharmacologically similar to the prohibited substances from Schedule I and Schedule II.

В Швеции полиция и таможенная служба имеют право изымать вещества, не входящие в списки наркотиков, если есть подозрения, что данные вещества имеют отношение к нелегальному обороту наркотиков. По решению прокурора изъятые вещества могут быть уничтожены ^[45] .

Правительство Австралии пошло по другому пути и осуществило обширный запрет веществ только на основе их химической структуры. Данный запрет делает нелегальными многие вещества ещё до их создания. Федеральный Закон об аналогах, подлежащих контролю, а также законодательные акты отдельных штатов, например Нового Южного Уэльса , используют принцип, при котором под запрет попадают миллионы несуществующих химических соединений только на основании отдалённого сходства с запрещёнными наркотиками ^{[46] [47]} . С другой стороны, закон не распространяется на вещества, которые не имеют структурного сходства с запрещёнными наркотиками, даже если они производят схожие эффекты.

В Великобритании многие популярные дизайнерские наркотики, как, например, мефедрон , позиционировались в качестве «солей для ванн» или удобрений для растений, несмотря на то, что данные соединения никогда не использовались в подобных целях ^{[48] [49] [50]} .

В США мефедрон , метилон и МДПВ также продавались под видом «солей для ванн» и удобрений, в упаковках с маркировкой «не для употребления человеком» ^{[50] [51]} . Как уже говорилось выше, такими способами производители и продавцы дизайнерских наркотиков пытались обойти Федеральный Закон об Аналогах, запрещающий препараты, схожие по существу с уже классифицированными наркотиками и предназначенные для употребления человеком.

В России дизайнерские наркотики, в частности, синтетические каннабиноиды , примерно с 2005 года и до настоящего времени позиционируются как « курительные смеси », «курительные миксы», «благовония», «ароматические смеси», «специи» и «пряности». Распространённым названием для дизайнерских наркотиков, выпускаемых в виде порошков, стали «соли для ванн», «легальные порошки» и просто «соли» ^{[52] [53]} .

Некоторые перечисленные вещества являются структурными аналогами триптаминов или фенилэтиламинов, однако существует также и множество других, совершенно не связанных психоактивных веществ, которые также могут рассматриваться как часть группы. Психоактивность и другие фармакологические свойства этих веществ не всегда возможно определить, исходя из структурного анализа. Многие вещества обладают схожими эффектами, в то время как их структуры различаются, и наоборот, в соответствии с парадоксом Количественного соотношения структура-активность. Отсутствие официально принятых наименований и различные региональные названия одних и тех же веществ — все это может привести к путанице, которая представляет определённую опасность для потребителей дизайнерских наркотиков ^[54] .

Опиаты

• α-метилфентанил , «белый китаец», сильнейший аналог героина;
• парафторофентанил;
• 3-метилфентанил , чрезвычайно мощный опиоид, предположительно применялся при штурме Театрального центра на Дубровке в Москве в 2002 году;
• MPPP (дезметилпродин), в некоторых случаях содержал в примесях свой метаболит МФТП , способный вызывать необратимый парксинсонизм после однократного употребления ^[55] ;
• 4'-нитрометофолин;
• O-дезметилтрамадол ;
• нортилидин;
• 4,4-дифенил-6-(пирролидин-1-ил)-гептан-3-он, пирролидиновый аналог дипипанона и фенадоксона;
• AH-7921.

Психоделики

Лизергамиды

• ALD-52 , N-ацетил-LSD предположительно активное вещество «Orange Sunshine» — аналога LSD 1960-х годов;
• ETH-LAD;
• AL-LAD;
• PRO-LAD;
• LSB;
• LSZ;

Триптамины

• 4-ацетокси-DiPT , N, N-диизопропил-4-ацетокситриптамин;
• 4-ацетокси-DMT , 4-ацетокси-диметилтриптамин;
• метоцин (4-HO-MET), 4-гидрокси-N-метил-N-этилтриптамин;
• 4-HO-MiPT , 4-гидрокси-N-метил-N-изопропилтриптамин;
• 5-MeO-AMT , 5-метокси-альфа-метилтриптамин;
• 5-MeO-DiPT , 5-метокси-диизопропилтриптамин (также известный как «Foxy» или «Foxy Methoxy»);
• 5-MeO-MiPT , 5-метокси-метилизопропилтриптамин;
• DiPT , N, N-диизопропилтриптамин;
• DPT , N, N-дипропилтриптамин;
• 5-MeO-DALT (N-аллил-N-[2-(5-метокси-1H-индол-3-ил)этил]проп-2-эн-1-амин).

Фенилэтиламины

• 2C-C , 2,5-диметокси-4-хлорфенетиламин;
• 2C-D , 2,5-диметокси-4-метил-фенилэтиламин;
• 2C-E , 2,5-диметокси-4-этил-фенилэтиламин;
• 2C-G , 3,4-диметил-2 ,5-диметоксифенэтиламин;
• 2C-I , 2,5-диметокси-4-йодофенетиламин;
• 2C-T-2 , 2,5-диметокси-4-этилтиофенэтиламин;
• 2С-Т-4 , 2,5-диметокси-4-(i)-пропилтиофенэтиламин;
• 2C-T-7 , 2,5-диметокси-4-(n)-пропилтиофенэтиламин;
• 2C-T-21 , 2,5-диметокси-4-(2-фтороэтилтио)-фенэтиламин;
• 2CB-FLY , 8-бромо-2,3,6,7-бензо-дигидро-дифуран-этиламин;
• Bromo-DragonFLY , 1-(4-бромофуро[2,3-f][1]бензофуран-8-ил)пропан-2-амин;
• DOB , 2,5-диметокси-4-бромоамфетамин;
• DOC , 2,5-диметокси-4-хлороамфетамин;
• DOI , 2,5-диметокси-4-йодоамфетамин;
• DOM , 2,5-диметокси-4-метиламфетамин;
• TMA-2 , 2,4,5-триметоксиамфетамин;
• TMA-6 , 2,4,6-триметоксиамфетамин;
• NBOMe-2C-C , 25C-NBOMe, «Pandora»;
• NBOMe-2C-I , 25I-NBOMe, «Solaris»;
• NBOMe-2C-D , 25D-NBOMe, «Divination».

Диссоциативы

• 3-MeO-PCP;
• 4-MeO-PCP ;
• дизоцилпин (MK-801; (+)-5-метил-10,11-дигидро-5H-дибензо[a, d]циклогептен-5,10-имин);
• этилциклидин (PCE, CI-400, N-этил-1-фенилциклогексиамин);
• метоксетамин (2-(3-метоксифенил)-2-(этиламино)циклогексанон);
• PCPr (N-пропил-1-фенилциклогексиамин);
• ролициклидин (PCPy, 1-(1-фенилциклогексил)пирролидин);
• теноциклидин (TCP, 1-(1-(2-тиенил) циклогексил)пиперидин);
• 3-MeO-PCE (2-(3-метоксифенил)-2-(этиламино)циклогексан);
• этилкетамин (2-(2-хлорфенил)-2-(этиламино)циклогексанон);
• иетоксикетамин (2-(2-метоксифенил)-2-(метиламино)циклогексанон).

Пиперазины

• BZP , 1-бензилпиперазин;
• mCPP , 1-(3-хлорфенил)пиперазин;
• MeOPP , 1- (4-methoxyphenyl) piperazine;
• pFPP , 1- (4-fluorophenyl) piperazine;
• TFMPP , 3-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine, the only drug in the United States on Drug List I and then granted legal status due to the fact that DEA was unable to prove the need for the drug to be constantly on the list.

Empathogens

• 4-MTA , 4-methylthioamphetamine;
• 5-Me-MDA , 5-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine;
• 5-APB , 5- (2-aminopropyl) benzofuran;
• 6-APB , 6- (2-aminopropyl) benzofuran;
• AET , α-ethyltryptamine;
• butylone , β-keto-N-methylbenzodioxolylpropylamine;
• ethyl , 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethyl cathinone;
• 5-APDI , (±) -1- (2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl) propan-2-amine;
• MBDB , 1,3-benzodioxolyl-N-methylbutanamine;
• MDAT (5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo [e] [1,3] benzodioxol-7-amine);
• MDEA , 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine;
• methylone , 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone;
• MMA , 3-methoxy-4-methylamphetamine;
• PMA , a particularly dangerous amphetamine derivative that has caused several deaths;
• PMMA , similar to PMA;
• PMEA is also similar to PMA.

Stimulants

• α-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (α-PPP);
• α-pyrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP);
• 2-fluoro-amphetamine;
• 3-fluoro-amphetamine;
• 4-fluoro-amphetamine;
• 4-methylaminorex (4-MAR);
• bufedron
• camphetamine (N-methyl phencamphamine homologue);
• deoxypipradol;
• dimethocaine;
• diphenylproline;
• ethcatinone;
• ethylphenidate;
• phlefedrone (4-FMC), and the 3-fluoro isomers of 3-FMC;
• MDPV , methylenedioxypyrovaleron, known as the “bath salt”;
• mephedrone , 4-methylmethcathinone;
• methedron ;
• methiopropamine;
• nafiron;
• pentedrone;
• pentilon

Sedative

• 1,4-butanediol , another GHB analogue;
• 2-methyl-2-butanol , a more potent analogue of ethanol;
• GBL, gamma butyrolactone , both a precursor and an analogue of GHB;
• GHV, gamma hydroxyalerianic acid (4-methyl-GHB);
• GVL, gamma-valerolactone;
• methyl methaqualone, an analogue of methaqualone;
• furniture box ;
• benzyl butyl barbiturate ;
• phenazepam , benzodiazepine, which is not listed on the Convention on Psychotropic Substances and therefore not subject to international control;
• premazepam ;
• etizolam .

Cannabinoids

Benzoylindoles

• AM-630;
• AM-679;
• AM-694;
• AM-1241;
• AM-2233;
• RCS-4.

Naphthoylindoles

• AM-1220;
• AM-1221;
• AM-1235;
• AM-2201;
• AM-2232;
• JWH-007;
• JWH-015;
• JWH-018 ;
• JWH-019 ;
• JWH-073;
• JWH-081;
• JWH-098;
• JWH-116;
• JWH-122;
• JWH-149;
• JWH-182;
• JWH-193;
• JWH-198;
• JWH-200 ;
• JWH-210 ;
• JWH-398;
• JWH-424;
• MAM-2201.

Cyclohexylphenols (non-classic cannabinoids)

• CP 47.497 and its (C8) homolog cannabicyclohexanol;
• CP 55940;
• HU-308.

Phenylacetylindoles

• JWH-167;
• JWH-203;
• JWH-250 ;
• JWH-251;
• JWH-320;
• RCS-8.

Adamantoylindoles

• AB-001;
• AM-1248.

Naphthylmethylindoles

• JWH-175;
• JWH-184.

Naphthoylpyrols

• JWH-030;
• JWH-307 .

Naphthylmethylidene

• JWH-176.

Dibenzopyranes (classic cannabinoids)

Anabolic Steroids

• Madol (deoxymethyltestosterone, sometimes called "DMT", not to be confused with dimethyltryptamine );
• metasterone;
• norboleton;
• prostanozole;
• Thg.

• Drugs
• Bath salts
• Smoking mixes
• Synthetic cannabinoids
• Recreational use of psychoactive substances

• Jenkins JP Designer drugs // Britannica . Archived on September 5, 2015.

• Designer drugs // Magazine "NarcoNet No. 9-2011", the site "No to Drugs" (Mass Media No. No. FS77-35683)