In the modern era, the use of psychoactive substances is constantly evolving and presents increasing challenges for public health. One of the most worrying phenomena in the drug field is the proliferation of new designer drugs and adulterants in the illicit market. These substances, produced synthetically to imitate the effects of traditional drugs, represent a serious threat to our youth and society in general.
New designer drugs : What are they and how do they impact young people?
Designer drugs, also known as new psychoactive drugs, are synthetic chemicals created in laboratories with the aim of producing psychoactive effects similar to those of illegal drugs. better known, such as ecstasy, LSD or cocaine. These substances are often formulated to avoid detection in conventional drug tests and are marketed on the illegal market under fancy names to attract younger consumers.
Young people, who often seek to experiment novel sensations or escape from reality, are especially vulnerable to the attraction of these new designer drugs. The lack of regulation and control of their production and distribution puts young people at high risk when consuming them, since they are completely unaware of their composition, dosage and long-term effects.
Impact on mental health and physical condition of young people
The consumption of new designer drugs can have devastating consequences for the health of young people. These substances, as they are not subject to quality controls or health regulations, can cause unpredictable adverse reactions, such as anxiety attacks, psychosis, seizures and even death.
In addition, many young people are unaware of the associated risks. to the consumption of synthetic drugs, which exposes them to suffering irreversible damage to their mental and physical health in the short and long term. Addiction, depression and other mental illnesses can develop as a consequence of the use of these substances, generating a negative impact not only on the life of the user, but also on their family and social environment.
Drug adulterants illicit drugs: a hidden threat
In addition to new designer drugs, another alarming problem in the world of illicit drugs is adulterants, substances added to drugs to increase their weight, potency or psychoactive effect. These chemicals, which are often highly toxic, represent a hidden threat to consumers, as they can produce serious and even lethal side effects.
Risks for the health and safety of young people
Young people who use illicit drugs are at risk of being unknowingly exposed to adulterants, which exponentially increases the chances of suffering negative consequences for their health and safety. The presence of substances such as strychnine, fentanyl or rat poison in drugs such as cocaine, heroin or ecstasy can have devastating and even fatal effects.
Adulterants also make it difficult to identify substances that are consumed, making emergency medical care in case of poisoning difficult. Furthermore, the lack of regulation in the production and distribution of illegal drugs means that consumers are exposed to a variety of products of unknown quality, thus increasing the risks to their health and well-being.
How to address the problem problem of new designer drugs and adulterants?
Given the growing threat that new designer drugs and adulterants represent for our young people, it is essential to implement comprehensive prevention and risk reduction strategies. These measures should range from health education and strengthening decision-making skills to improving the detection and treatment of problems related to drug use.
1. Education and awareness
It is essential to educate young people about the risks associated with drug use, including new designer drugs and adulterants. Accurate and updated information about the effects of these substances, as well as strategies to prevent their use, can be key to reducing the vulnerability of young people to drugs.
2. Access to health services and treatment
Ensuring equitable access to mental health services and treatment for addiction problems is crucial to protecting the health of young people who use drugs. Specialized care centers, harm reduction programs and early interventions can help prevent serious complications and promote recovery for those affected.
3. Regulation and control of substances
It is essential to strengthen the mechanisms for the regulation and control of psychoactive substances, both nationally and internationally. This includes the prohibition of new designer drugs and the implementation of quality control measures to prevent the adulteration of illicit drugs, in order to reduce the risks associated with the consumption of potentially dangerous substances.
Conclusion
In conclusion, new designer drugs and adulterants represent a serious threat to the health and well-being of our young people. Ignorance of the risks associated with these substances, as well as the lack of regulation in their production and distribution, make consumers vulnerable to suffering negative consequences for their health and safety.
It is the responsibility of society. as a whole, including governments, educational institutions, health professionals and families, work collaboratively to address this problem comprehensively. Only through prevention, education and access to quality health services can we protect our young people from the dangers posed by new designer drugs and adulterants in illicit drug consumption.