NDEWS ORIGINAL CONTENT

Alert from the NDEWS Web Monitoring Team: Online mentions of Dipyanone

Context: This alert follows laboratory identification of Dipyanone by NPS Discovery in March 2022 and preliminary reporting of Dipyanone Subreddit discussion in NDEWS Weekly Briefing Issue 30 (April 2021).

What was found? Mention trends for Dipyanone reached peak discussion levels on Reddit in 2021. After first appearing in March 2021, mentions of Dipyanone tripled that spring. Moderate discussion levels have persisted in 2022 as reports of Dipyanone in real-world signals emerge.

What is Dipyanone? Dipyanone is a designer opioid drug with structural similarity to methadone.

How is Dipyanone being discussed? Little research on Dipyanone's effects and risks has been reported. Reddit comments warn against intravenous and intranasal administration of Dipyanone, describing the drug as "caustic". Some commenters express intent to use Dipyanone as an alternative to methadone.

Drug Terms: Dipyanone.

NOVEL PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES

NPS Discovery: Announcement of newly identified psychoactive substance, ADB-5’Br-BINACA in the US

NPS Discovery announced the identification of a newly identified psychoactive substance, ADB-5'Br-BINACA, which is classified as a synthetic cannabinoid. Read about its structure and appearance, among other details, here.

IN THE NEWS

Biden administration announces $1.5 billion funding opportunity for State Opioid Response grant program

Last week, the Biden administration announced a $1.5 billion funding opportunity for a State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program through the US Department of Health and Human Services, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This funding includes a set-aside amount for states with the highest opioid use disorder-related mortality rates. Applications are due July 18, 2022. Read the full press release here, and apply for the cohort of the SOR grant program here.

RECENTLY PUBLISHED

Non-fentanyl-derived synthetic opioids emerging during recent years

An article published this week in Forensic Toxicology describes the changes in the illicit synthetic opioid market in the US. The authors reviewed relevant reports referring to old but newly appearing synthetic opioids. Several families of new, non-fentanyl-derived synthetic opioids were identified, including MT-45 and its analogs, benzamide and 2-phenylacetamide opioids, and benzimidazole opioids. Read the article here.

Emerging synthetic cannabinoids detected by a drug checking service in Toronto, Canada

A study published earlier this month in Clinical Toxicology analyzed samples collected at partnering harm reduction agencies in Toronto, Ontario between April and November 2020. Three synthetic cannabinoids were newly detected: ACHMINACA (n=15), AB-FUBINACA (n=3), and 4-fluoro-MDMB-BUTINACA (n=1). Most synthetic cannabinoids were detected in samples containing fentanyl or related analogs, or benzodiazepine-related drugs. Read the full report here.

The epidemiology of mescaline use: Pattern of use, motivations for consumption, and perceived consequences, benefits, and acute enduring subjective effects

A study published in Journal of Psychopharmacology examined the epidemiology of mescaline use among English-speaking adults. Among the 452 respondents who completed a web-based survey designed to assess their previous experience with mescaline, 74% reported that they had consumed mescaline infrequently (once per year) for spiritual exploration or to connect with nature. About 50% of the sample reported having a psychiatric condition, and most reported improvements in these conditions following their most memorable experience with mescaline. Read the full study here.

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