Synthetic drugs “widely available”
Image: Henry Kwan
The death of teenager Henry Kwan earlier this month prompted the Federal Government to introduce a temporary ban on 19 legal highs, but conjecture remains whether the ban simply increased demand for synthetic drugs.
Mr Kwan jumped to his death from a third floor balcony whilst under the influence of an NBOMe drug, a synthetic form of LSD that had been purchased online. This drug failed to make the government’s list of banned products.
Multiple synthetic forms of cannabis and powdered highs mimicking cocaine and MDMA have now been banned. These, according to a NSW Fair Trading spokesperson, were “confirmed by the NSW Police Force Drug Squad as causing harm”.
The drugs had been readily available across NSW for a number of years in herbal shops, tobacconists and even locksmiths, but the ban has subsequently increased publicity in synthetic drugs.
“If anything, bans create increased awareness and increased popularity,” said clinical psychologist Stephen Bright. “My research into the role of the media in increasing awareness and use of synthetic cannabis shows this.”
Mr Bright, who coordinates the teachings of Addiction Studies at Curtin University, said the public was now aware synthetic drugs are purchasable.
“The recent media frenzy about Henry Kwan has alerted people that there are these NBOMe drugs that can be bought cheaply on the Internet,” he said.
“They continue to remain widely available on the Internet. Hence, it is likely that many people that were unfamiliar with this drug prior to his death will now try it.”
Fines of up to $1.1 million for a corporation and $220,000 per person are in place for businesses selling synthetic drugs, but debate remains whether it will stop consumers buying the drugs online.
“Fair Trading has been undertaking surveillance of the marketplace since the Legal Affairs Committee report was tabled in the NSW Parliament on May 30 2013,” said NSW Minister for Fair Trading, Anthony Roberts.
“Thirty Fair Trading officers undertook this surveillance, which also included monitoring the online sale of synthetic drugs. Since the interim bans were put in place, four of these websites have been shut down by the operators.”
The emergence of black marketplaces like Silk Road has allowed people to purchase goods anonymously online.
The popularity of these drugs in Australia remains unclear, but some indications suggest the trend is on the rise. Quantities of non-traditional drugs being seized by the police are increasing and there have been numerous media reports about emerging drugs.
To date there have been two known deaths in NSW related to NBOMe drugs and at least eight instances of psychotic behaviour relating to the LSD mimic – one of the NBOMe substances – according to a spokesperson for the NSW Police Force.
A monitoring system may be required to identify potentially lethal and emerging drugs before they cause harm to the public. A system in this mould is being implemented in New Zealand, where manufacturers will be required to identify the safety of their products before they are legally sold.
“Banning each chemical as they emerge is not effective,” warned Mr Bright. “If we don’t stop this ride soon, I’m worried that lots of people are going to get very sick.”
