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New psychoactive substances: Purchasing and supply patterns in Australia
Author(s) -
Sutherland Rachel,
Bruno Raimondo,
Peacock Amy,
Dietze Paul,
Breen Courtney,
Burns Lucinda,
Barratt Monica J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.2577
Subject(s) - purchasing , business , cash , profit (economics) , synthetic cannabinoids , data source , marketing , commerce , advertising , cannabinoid , medicine , finance , economics , receptor , computer science , data mining , microeconomics
Objective To examine the purchasing and supply patterns of new psychoactive substance (NPS) consumers in Australia. Method Data were obtained from a self‐selected sample of 296 past‐year NPS consumers, with comparisons made across dimethyltryptamine ( n = 104), 2C‐x ( n = 59), NBOMe ( n = 27), and synthetic cannabinoid ( n = 22) users. Results Most consumers (58%) nominated a friend as their main NPS source, and almost half (46%) reported that they had supplied NPS to others in the past year (predominantly “social supply”). However, when comparisons were made across NPS, NBOMe users were more likely to nominate a dealer (30%) or online marketplace (22%) as their main source and to report: supplying NPS to others (63%); supplying to strangers (29%) and acquaintances (24%); and supplying NPS for cash profit (29%). Similarly, NPS consumers who nominated online markets as their main NPS source (9%; n = 26) were more likely to have supplied NPS to others (risk ratio [RR] 1.57); supplied to strangers (RR 6.05) and acquaintances (RR 12.11); sold NPS for cash profit (RR 4.36); and to have exchanged NPS for something else (RR 3.27) than those who reported alternative primary sources. Conclusion NBOMe consumers and those who nominated online markets as their main NPS source reported greater engagement with for‐profit supply; it is unclear if these individuals have “drifted” into dealing or if they were already engaged in such activities.