The EMCDDA–Europol 2011 annual report on new psychoactive substances showed that a total of 49 new psychoactive substances were officially notified for the first time in 2011 via the EU early-warning system (EWS). The report highlights the increasing number and diversity of synthetic cannabinoids (e.g. found in ‘Spice’-like products), of which five new chemical families were detected.

The EMCDDA–Europol 2011 annual report on new psychoactive substances shows that the list of substances registered was dominated by two groups: synthetic cannabinoids (23 substances) and synthetic cathinones (8 substances). According to the European Monitor Centre for Drugs and Drug addiction (EMCDDA), these now represent the two largest drug groups monitored by the EU early-warning system (EWS) and, together, make up around two-thirds of the new drugs reported last year. In October 2011, the European Commission already proposed a stronger EU response to fight new psychoactive drugs. Overall, 49 new psychoactive substances were officially notified for the first time in 2011 via the EU early-warning system (EWS). The report informs that this represents the largest number of substances ever reported in a single year, up from 41 substances reported in 2010 and 24 in 2009.

On the other hand, in 2011 it was noted the increasing number and diversity of synthetic cannabinoids (e.g. found in ‘Spice’-like products), of which five new chemical families were detected. This brought the total number of synthetic cannabinoids reported since 2008 up to 45, the largest drug group now monitored through the EWS. Responding to health concerns, some countries have adopted ‘generic controls’ on chemical families as well as controls on individual substances.

With regard to the follow-up of the synthetic cathinone, mephedrone, the report shows that 26 Member States, Norway and Croatia, now control the substance under drug legislation, with the Netherlands expected to follow suit shortly. It also described the EMCDDA’s monitoring of the online ‘legal high’ market. The number of online shops offering at least one psychoactive substance or product rose from 314 in January 2011 to 690 in January 2012.