Issues of identification of analogues and derivatives of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and their quantification

Abstract

To date, relatively little is known about the pharmacology and toxicology of the various (often variable) synthetic cannabinoids added to herbal prod ucts, but some of these substances may have a higher addictive potential, due to more rapid development of habituation, and may often have stronger and more prolonged toxic effects. At present, no synthetic cannabinoids in such herbal products are under international control under the Single Con vention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, and synthetic cannabinoids-psychotropic substances, 1971. Moreover, the control regime for those compounds varies considerably from country to country. Many derivatives and analogues can be synthesized by adding halogen, alkyl, alkoxyl or other substituents to one of the aromatic cyclic systems. Other minor modifications, such as changes in the length and configuration of the alkyl chain, may also be made. Ami noalkylindoles are by far the most common class of synthetic cannabinoids found in herbal products, as they are easier to synthesise than other classes of compounds. Hundreds of new herbal products have emerged. The syn thetic additives in such products can vary significantly in terms of both the amount and types of synthetic cannabinoids used. The sheer number of new synthetic cannabinoids that are constantly emerging poses a major problem, meaning that control measures for individual compounds can be easily circumvented.The relative ease of obtaining new types of derivatives of known drugs, the industrial scale of their production and the constant scientific search for new chemical formulas of narcotic and psychotropic substances have created a situation in which the law enforcement system of Ukraine is virtually unable to respond to the instantaneous updating of the drug market structure.