THE SYNTHETIC DRUG PHENOMENON

THE SYNTHETIC DRUG PHENOMENON THE SYNTHETIC DRUG PHENOMENON (including internationally controlled drugs and NPS Global overview of that are not subject to control) have reshaped a drug synthetic drug markets market once dominated by heroin.9 Amphetamine in the form of “captagon” is the drug of main concern in The illicit manufacture, trafficking and non-medical the Near and Middle East.10 Meanwhil. [...] in South America have witnessed the growing distri- Developments in the pharmaceutical and chemical bution of synthetic drugs, including ketamine and industries have contributed to the continued discovery other NPS stimulants and hallucinogens.11 and proliferation of synthetic drugs.1 Since the early twentieth century, new pharmaceuticals, such as synthetic tranquillizers, stimulants and anaesthet. [...] For example, a review of the literature on the continuous development of synthesis routes for fen- The Internet-based sharing of information related to tanyl has shown that those involved in the illegal synthesis and new drug discoveries also provides know- manufacture of the drug are learning from published how for the synthetic manufacture of various drugs research and patents.48 Enhanced synthe. [...] 18 Note: The figure is an abstract representation of the relative sizes of each segment of the labour supply for drugs of natural and synthetic origin. [...] Caulkins, “Radical Technological Breakthroughs in 33 INCB, “Precursors and Chemicals Frequently Used in the Illicit Drugs and Drug Markets: The Cases of Cannabis and Fentanyl,” Manufacture of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances International Journal of Drug Policy 94 (August 1, 2021): 103162.