Rise of Synthetic Drugs in Australia; Implications

Posted by Drug Test Australia

 

There has been recent media and government attention paid to the rise in the prevalence of use, sales and manufacture of Synthetic Drugs, such as Synthetic Marijuana (‘Kronic’ and like products) and Synthetic Stimulants (i.e. Synthetic Cocaine, Synthetic Amphetamines and Synthetic MDMA [Ecstasy]) among other harmful substances.

Of particular concern to employers in Australia, is that these types of drugs cannot be screened for in traditional drug tests; only by drug tests that specifically test for these substances.

European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, has released a report raising concerns over the great quantity of these substances available; with a total of 49 new psychoactive substances officially notified for the first time in 2011. Preliminary data shows over 50 new substances already detected for 2012. This is of concern to the Australian market, as these items can easily be purchased online and sent to Australia, from retailers residing overseas.

http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/news/2012/10

Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie has proposed changes to the Drugs Misuse Act, that would include a plethora of synthetic drugs, with similar effects to presently illegal drugs to be made illegal.

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2012/11/18/government-clamps-down-on-synthetic-drugs

The main issue faced is that drug ‘manufacturers’ aim to stay one step ahead of legislation and are constantly changing and developing the contents and make-up of these substances.

We must be vigilant and stay on top of this phenomenon, as impairment from these substances poses a significant safety risk in workplaces; effective testing is the only way to limit risk.

For more information, please see our blog articles below, or contact us about our synthetic marijuana testing kits.

http://drugtestaustraliablog.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/new-type-of-synthetic-cannabis-new-type.html

http://drugtestaustraliablog.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/synthetic-cannabis-frequently-asked.html

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