by Lolita Tsanaclis
on May 15, 2019
Data published by the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths (NPSAD) has highlighted the increase in drug related deaths due to the use of ‘legal highs’ commonly referred to as Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS).
The presence of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in toxicology tests performed for post mortem examinations indicated the prevalence of NPS has increased 800% over three years (2009 – 2012).
Cansford Laboratories presented the increasing incidence of one NPS, Mephedrone (Meow Meow) use at the Society of Hair Testing in Toronto during 2012. Previously, we reported an increase in the number of samples testing positive for Mephedrone.
From Cansford laboratory’s data, we are noticing an increasing number of samples testing positive for Amphetamines, with Mephedrone still being positive in around 10% of samples which are analysed for the drug.