Psychotropic substances

International collaboration in dmg regulation has led to the creation of international instruments to facilitate cross-border dmg control, particularly for narcotics. All the 10 countries in this study have signed a number of international conventions. The most commonly endorsed of these conventions relate to narcotic dmgs and psychotropic substances, and illicit trafficking. 

Chewing leaves of the khat shrub is practiced in parts of East Africa and the Arabian peninsula (Kalix 1988 Widler et al. 1994). Some estimate daily use at 5 million portions. Use in the West is less common, but has increased somewhat. More common in the United States has been use of the synthetic drug methcathinone (or "cat"), which is derived from khat alkaloids. Only the fresh khat leaves are pharmacologically active, so for some time use was limited to local areas that grew the plant. However, with air transportation, use has spread with emigrants in Europe and the United States. Because of its pharmacological similarities to amphetamine and its addictive properties, khat has been listed on Schedule I of the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. 

Keywords Air quality, Drugs of abuse, Human health. Psychotropic substances... 

Exposure to Airborne Psychotropic Substances Potential Health Effects. 455... 

The occurrence of psychotropic substances in the air of cities is nowadays ascertained. Indeed, not only nicotine, caffeine, and the corresponding by-products, whose existence could be foreseen due to the wide use by population, but also cocaine, cannabinoids, heroin, and the so-called smart drugs have been found to affect our environment. 

To find answers to these crucial questions and to establish if the occurrence of psychotropic substances in the atmospheric aerosols is just a curiosity or rather a potential problem for the community, a series of investigations have been carried out both in the laboratory and in the field. Dedicated procedures have been optimised, for instance, for cocaine and cannabinoids (see sections below), and the chemical stability of cocaine in airborne particulates and its partition between gas and aerosol phases were estimated, as well as its accumulation in fine rather than coarse particles. Furthermore, cocaine and cannabinoids concentrations have been measured in several cities over the world through field studies. After the first detection of cocaine in ambient air by Hannigan et al. [1] in Los Angeles, measurements were performed more extensively in Italy (for instance over 10 consecutive months in downtown Rome, or in 38 Italian localities) and Spain... 

Fig. 5 Top. Diagram flow of the procedure adopted by Cecinato et al. [37, 46] to determine psychotropic substances. Bottom-. Drug detection through GC-MSD (EI-SIM) analysis of an airborne particulate organic extract, highly polar fraction. (Rome, 2006)...

Cecinato A, Balducci C, Budetta V, Pasini A (2010) Illicit psychotropic substance contents in the air of Italy. Atmos Environ 44 2358-2363... 

The international community looks with interest at what results have been achieved and what further action is needed after nearly two decades of precursor control. Within its mandate under article 12 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, the International Narcotics Control Board has a unique position and responsibility to provide some answers to those questions. 

A. Status of adherence to the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 and reporting by Governments pursuant to article 12... 

The Board transmits form D, an annual questionnaire on substances frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, to all Governments. As at 1 November 2004, a total of 135 States and territories, as well as the European Commission on behalf of the States members of the European Union, had submitted form D for 2003 (see annex II for details). With 66 per cent of all States parties and 48 per cent of non-parties submitting data for 2003, the rate of submission for 2003 is approximately the same as that of previous years. 

Precursors and Chemicals Frequently Used in the Illicit Manufacture of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2003. .., para. 19. 

Governments of the countries and territories listed in the table below have provided on form D information on licit trade in, uses of and requirements for substances in Tables I and II of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 for the years 1999-2003. That information was requested in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1995/20 of 24 July 1995. Details may be made available on a case-by-case basis, subject to confidentiality of data. 

Use of scheduled substances in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances... 

The use of scheduled substances in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, depicted in figures A.I-A.IV below, represents classic production and manufacturing methods. The extraction of cocaine from coca leaf and the purification of coca paste and the crude base products of cocaine and heroin require solvents, acids and bases. A wide range of such chemicals has been used at all stages of drug production. 

Article 2, paragraph 9, of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, provides as follows ... 

The Parties shall use their best endeavours to apply to substances which do not fall under this Convention, but which may be used in the illicit manufacture of psychotropic substances, such measures of supervision as may be practicable. ... 

Psychotropic Substances Statistics for 2003 Assessments of Medical and Scientific Requirements for Substances in Schedules II, III and IV (E/INCB/2004/3)... 

The updated lists of substances under international control, comprising narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and substances frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, are contained in the latest editions of the annexes to the statistical forms ( Yellow List , Green List and Red List ), which are also issued by the Board. 

In addition to its annual report and other technical publications (on narcotic drugs and on psychotropic substances), the Board has decided to publish its report on the implementation of article 12 of the 1988 Convention, in accordance with the following provisions contained in article 23 of that convention ... 

---