Drug and Alcohol Alerts: EU issue early-warning notifications about two synthetic drugs that already proved fatal
1. New psychoactive substance ('legal high') linked to 18 UK deaths
2. Extremely high potentially fatal levels of MDMA in new ecstasy pills
- "Manage your risk: with so many new drugs now, it's important to review your drugs and alcohol policy to ensure it is up to date"
- ScreenSafe expertise available Health and Safety event in NEC Birmingham this week
Europol and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) have issued early-warning notifications last week about two synthetic drugs that have recently been linked to serious harms in the EU.
“With the widespread use of “legal highs” and the increased use of alcohol and illegal drugs, there is no better time to raise employee awareness." says Susan Carter-Edwards for ScreenSafe UK, one of the UK's most established drug and alcohol test providers and consultants.
The first EU alert concerns a new psychoactive substance associated with 18 deaths in the United Kingdom and eight in Hungary in 2013. 4,4'-DMAR — a derivative of 4-methylaminorex — is not currently controlled by drug legislation in EU Member States. The substance has been found in Denmark, Finland, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom since it was first detected in 2012.
A range of adverse effects associated with 4,4’-DMAR have been reported, including agitation, hyperthermia, foaming at the mouth, breathing problems and cardiac arrest.
The second warning focuses on ecstasy tablets that have been found with dangerously high levels of MDMA (ecstasy) in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The potentially toxic levels of MDMA present in these tablets could lead to serious harm, and there have already been deaths associated with such tablets in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
MDMA tablets in the EU typically contain between about 60 and 100 mg of MDMA (2012 figures), however, tablets containing between 150 and up to 240 mg of MDMA are currently. Illicit drugs can often contain unexpected ingredients in unpredictable amounts.
"The bottom line is that impairment through drugs, alcohol, substance use or “legal highs” kills. It can kill the user. It can kill persons / employees who come into contact with the user. Manage your risk. With so many new drugs now, it's important to review your drugs and alcohol policy to ensure it is up to date" concludes Ms Carter-Edwards.
ScreenSafe is marking its tenth anniversary by bringing its broadest range of drug and alcohol testing and consultancy services to date to the NEC this week. Supported by the British Safety Council and sponsored by 3M, the Health and Safety Event is a free conference running for three days 11th-13th March, combining seminars and exhibitions for all health and safety professionals and risk managers.
To find out more about NPS and other drugs and alcohol testing, visit ScreenSafe in Birmingham at the NEC on stand B14 from 11th March to 13th March.
For more information contact Tel: 44 (0) 1491 636262
Mob: 44 (0) 77 222 82 946
tellmemore@perfectlypicked.com www.perfectlypicked.com
Screen Safe are one of the UK's leading experts in the provision of drug testing, alcohol tests, DNA testing and blood borne virus testing services in the workplace including maritime, child protection, occupational health and criminal justice sectors. Additionally, they provide bespoke training and policy advice.
They test for drug and alcohol misuse and blood borne viruses by analysing results from saliva, urine, hair or blood samples.
Their experience focuses working in partnership with customers from many sectors including employers, occupational health professionals, community drug & alcohol services, medico-legal professionals, social workers and law enforcement officers. There are many companies that drug test in the UK but Screen Safe offers all services including laboratory or instant drug tests, alcohol and blood borne virus testing solutions with product training and dedicated customer support team.
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