Transcript Slide 1

On the Frontline
Gareth Balmer
Dundee Direct Access
Service
Remit to provide
substance misuse
advice, information
and support service
to People of
Dundee
2008 Bubbleluv
ecstasy alternative amongst recreational users
2009 Sudden increase in reports
Enquiries from schools
Schools
White ones
Pink ones
Blue ones
LSD Ketamine Ecstasy combo?
Never credible
A mix up on reported effects
In the beginning….
Reports continue…..
“Doctors in Dundee have issued a warning about the legal
high drug 'bubbles' after five people suffered non-fatal
overdoses last weekend in the city” BBC News Nov 2009
‘Bubbles’ take man to brink of suicide in weeks” DC Thomson Jan 2010
Party drug bubbles ‘destroyed our son’ Feb 2010
“Mephedrone teenager risked blowing up petrol station” STV NEWS
April 2010
“Party drug mephedrone contributed to suicide death of my
son, reveals grief-stricken mum” Daily Record July 2010
In the beginning….
“Mephedrone use and associated adverse effects in school and
college/university students before the UK legislation change” Dargan
PI, Albert S, Wood DM.QJM. 2010 Jul 30. [Epub ahead of print]
1006 individuals completed the survey [501 (49.8%) males and 505
(50.2%) females]
349 classified their educational institute as a school and 657 as a
college/university
205 (20.3%) reported previous use of mephedrone
23.4% reported using only using mephedrone on one occasion previously
4.4% reported daily use
56% of those who had used mephedrone, reported at least one unwanted
effect associated with its use
Prevalence..?
Most recent info from official sources…
Methylmethcathinone (mephedrone)
MDPV
Methylone
Butylone
NRG-?
MDAI
ERIC!
Dose?
What's in a Bubble?
Drop-in service
Accident and Emergency
Psychiatric liaison
Inpatient psychiatric services
Dragged in by parents
Cost/Benefit
Dose related problems
Daily use
Who comes to see us and
why?
Anxiety
Palpitations
Hallucinations
Paranoia
Cravings
Anger
Despair
Family problems
Money problems
Dopamine psychosis?
Why are we surprised: KHAT
Presenting issues?
Reassurance
Coping with comedowns
Harm reduction message
Most problems dose related
Coping with cravings
What are we doing?
On the Frontline