The designer drug 3-MMC increasingly contains substances other than the actual drug. And that brings risks. What about other designer drugs? What are the risks? And where can you get them tested?
Using designer drugs or other substances can never be completely safe, says Pieter Oomen, who is affiliated with the Trimbos Institute as a pharmacist and analytical chemist. “If you don’t want to take any risks, you shouldn’t use drugs. Because they’re always there.” However, according to him, there are ways to limit the health consequences associated with drug use.
It starts with knowing what you are using. A designer drug is similar to a traditional drug, but has a slightly different chemical composition, so that the substance is not illegal under current laws and regulations.
This is unfortunate, because designer drugs often contain substances other than what is stated on the ‘packaging’. “That is sometimes the case with all drugs, but with designer drugs it is a huge task to keep track of it. It concerns hundreds, if not thousands of different types of substances, which are all chemically slightly different. So they can also differ greatly in terms of effects and risks,” says Oomen.
He sees that designer drugs often suddenly emerge, quickly gain popularity and in almost all cases disappear relatively quickly. According to him, this is because an amendment to the law then provides for that variant to be made punishable. But, he says: “From 1 July, a new law will come into effect that prohibits an entire group of substances in advance. That is a major development in the field of designer drugs.”
A general ban as a solution
The idea is to combat illegal trade in this way, which should make it more difficult to obtain these resources. Yet that will not be impossible for those who really want it. Although it will hopefully scare off a lot of people. The fact that these substances are not illegal as soon as they come onto the market may be an important reason for people to use them, thinks Arnt Schellekens. “Either because they think they are safe, or because they are still legal, or because they do not want to use illegal substances.”
Schellekens is professor of addiction and psychiatry at Radboudumc and also national rapporteur on addictions. In that role, he advises the government on addiction and drug policy. Kenan de Leeuw, neuropsychologist at Jellinek, wonders whether a general ban will have any effect. “3-MMC has been banned since October 2021, and that has not led to less use of this category of resources.”
Usually the market takes over. Where these drugs were first offered legally through webshops, dealers now do so. That makes the substance even more unreliable, says De Leeuw. The chance is very high that it is a combination of other substances, especially in the case of 3-MMC. He hopes that more knowledge about this will raise the threshold to use the drug at all.
Have you have questions about drug use or are you worried about yourself or someone else? Call the Drugs Infolijn on 0900-1995 or go to drugsinfo.nl.
Always test before use
If you have certain resources in your possession, it is always advisable to have them tested before use. The DIMS, part of the Trimbos Institute, has 33 Dutch test locations affiliated where you can go to have your drugs tested. Here you will find an overview. According to Schellekens, this is very important. “At such a test location you can submit a sample that is tested to see what it contains. You will be shocked at how often what they say is in it when you buy it is not in it.” In the article below you can read more about the risks to your health.
The risks are not only reserved for the use of designer drugs. Usually things don’t go wrong due to the addition of other substances, but due to the drug itself, Oomen sees. He cites as an example that the use of substances familiar to someone can suddenly go wrong. “You may think from experience that a certain dosage is okay for you, but the next time that same amount may suddenly cause problems.”
Also pay attention to the circumstances
Another reason why testing is important: sometimes it contains very dangerous substances, says Schellekens. “In that case, DIMS issues a warning so that people are quickly aware of what is in circulation. By having your drugs tested, you not only make it safer for yourself, but also for other users.”
Oomen also urges not to use these substances in certain circumstances, such as when you are exhausted and standing in the full sun at a festival. If you do, you run an increased risk of dehydration and fatigue. According to him, completely avoiding things going wrong is not possible. “However, you can reduce that risk by not combining substances, being well rested and gathering people you trust around you so that you can watch out for each other.”