NDEWS ORIGINAL CONTENT

Methamphetamine-related 911 EMS responses per 10k population, June 2022 – August 2022

From June 1, 2022 to August 18, 2022, methamphetamine-related 911 responses were reported in 1,467 incident counties in 45 states. Of those 911 responses, a majority of persons were white (54%), and male (67%). New Mexico had the highest rate of responses with 7.15 responses per 10k residents, followed by Colorado with 5.69 per 10k residents, and Nevada with 4.02 per 10k residents. View the full report here.

Alert from the NDEWS Web Monitoring Team: Online mentions of N-methyl-cyclazodone

What was found? The drug N-methyl-cyclazodone gained popularity in Subreddit discussion from Summer 2021 through Summer 2022.

What is N-methyl-cyclazodone? N-Methyl-cyclazodone (NMC) is a stimulant research chemical. NMC is derivative of cyclazodone.

How is N-methyl-cyclazodone being discussed? N-Methyl-cyclazodone is commonly abbreviated as NMC in online discussion. While NMC has stimulant effects, the drug is often discussed as a supplement/nootropic. Commenters discuss potential harm to the liver from frequent NMC use.

Drug Terms: N-Methyl-cyclazodone, NMC, cyclazodone.

NOVEL PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES

Fentanyl purity, potency, & synthesis: Real-time testing of opioid drug products in the US

The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) and Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) have launched a new report to serve as a guide for agencies and stakeholders looking to understand and/or interpret quantitative results from the drug supply in Philadelphia. Introduced and highlighted in this report:

▶ Background information about fentanyl and its origins
▶ Definitions of purity vs. potency as it relates to quantitative drug testing
▶ Introduction of Potency Index - a numeric value that allows for comparison of drug materials containing more than one drug of a given class
▶ Illustrations of fentanyl synthesis pathways including specific precursors, intermediates, and byproducts
▶ Connection between drug purity testing and harm reduction
▶ First reports of fentanyl and xylazine purity data from Philadelphia, PA

Read the full report here.

RECENTLY PUBLISHED

3-Methylmethcathinone (3-MMC) poisonings: Acute clinical toxicity and time trend between 2013 and 2021 in the Netherlands

A recently published study in Annals of Emergency Medicine examined the numbers of 3-MMC poisonings over time and the clinical effects following poisonings with 3-MMC. From 2013 to June 2021, the Dutch Poisons Information Center was consulted on 184 3-MMC poisonings. The number of poisonings increased from 1 in 2013 to 70 in the first half of 2021. In 84 poisonings involving only 3-MMC, symptoms reported included tachycardia, hypertension, and agitation. Five patients experienced severe effects, including 3 patients who experienced severe hypertension and nonfatal cardiac arrest. Read the full study here.

DEA TOX 2nd Quarter 2022 report

The Drug Enforcement Administration's Toxicology Testing Program (DEA TOX) published their 2nd Quarter 2022 report earlier this week. This publication presents the results of cases analyzed and completed by the CTEB laboratory from April 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022. DEA TOX identified and confirmed a total of 543 drugs and metabolites that included 74 NPS detections during this reporting period. Read the full report here.

What's contaminating Toronto's drug supply? Insights from samples checked by Toronto's drug checking service January 1 – December 31, 2021

Earlier this week, Toronto's drug checking service released a report summarizing insights from samples checked between January 1 – December 31, 2021. In 2021, the service checked 2,886 samples. Approximately 50% of samples checked in 2021 were expected to be fentanyl. The report highlights the continued presence of xylazine, the emergence of nitazene opioids, and the volatility and variety of benzodiazepine-related drugs presenting, in Toronto's drug supply. Read the full report here.

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Re-introducing CFSRE's NPS Discovery program: Past, present, and a look into the future

CFSRE's NPS Discovery program will be hosting a free interactive and informative webinar on October 11th, 2022, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. ET. The webinar will discuss NPS Discovery's history and plans for the future, as well as the most up-to-date information on synthetic cannabinoids, NPS benzodiazepines, NPS opioids, and NPS stimulants. The event will finish with a round table Q&A session with all the presenters as well as a live demo of their new website. Click here to register.

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