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        Identifying emerging trends in recreational drug use : outcomes from the Psychonaut Web Mapping Project

        Author
        Deluca, Paolo
        Davey, Zoe
        Corazza, Ornella
        Pasinetti, Manuela
        Pezzolesi, C.
        Schifano, Fabrizio
        Di Furia, Lucia
        Farre, Magi
        Torrens, Marta
        Flesland, Liv
        Skutle, Arvid
        Iversen, E.
        Mannonen, Miia
        Majava, A.
        Peltoniemi, Teuvo
        Scherbaum, Norbert
        Siemann, Holger
        van der Kreeft, Peer
        Attention
        2299/9321
        Abstract
        Background: This paper presents the outcomes of the 2-year European Union funded Psychonaut Web Mapping Project which aimed at developing and implementing an integrated web mapping system to promptly identify and learn about novel psychoactive substances (NPS; "legal highs") through the regular monitoring of the Internet. Methods: More than 200 discussion forums, social media, online shops, websites and other Internet resources (e.g. YouTube, eBay, Google, Google Insight) have been extensively and regularly monitored in 7 European countries (UK, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Germany, Italy and Spain) for emerging trends of NPS throughout the period of the study. Results: Key online resources have been identified as "leading edge" which have provided accurate and timely information on novel emerging compounds. In total more than 400 substances/products have been recorded. NPS have been noted online before reaching wider audiences. Discussion: Although a high number of novel psychoactive substances have been identified in the 2-year duration of the project, not all have become trends that needed public health response. Conversely, new recreational drug phenomena such as "spice drugs," mephedrone and naphyrone were all identified as emerging trends in forums and websites. In addition, it has been possible for the first time to collate detailed information on these and several more compounds even though no or limited scientific publications were available. It is therefore recommended that these monitoring activities are to be continued, that more countries, researchers and health professionals are involved, and that the findings are widely shared with all the relevant agencies, health professionals and future research projects. Implications, advantages and limitations of using the Internet as primary source for identifying emerging trends are also discussed
        Publication date
        2012
        Published in
        Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry
        Published version
        https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.07.011
        Other links
        http://hdl.handle.net/2299/9321
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