Name
W02 - Emerging Trends of Synthetic Cathinones in the United States
Date & Time
Tuesday, November 13, 2018, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Agnes Winokur, MS
Description
The synthetic drugs market in the United States has continued to expand and diversify in the past several years. Synthetic cathinones are new psychoactive substances (NPS) with stimulant effects (often referred to as “bath salts”). DEA reports that synthetic cathinones are manufactured in East Asia and distributed to many parts of the world, to include the United States. There are so many variations of synthetic cathinones that it is difficult to get a clear grasp of the magnitude of the problem that encompasses this class of stimulants. Data from the National Forensic Laboratory Information System shows N-ethylpentylone as being in the top 25 drugs analyzed nationally in the United States in 2017. Many synthetic cathinones are distributed using concealment techniques or disguised to avoid detection from law enforcement personnel. Some of these substances are also used to meet high demands for other sought after drugs like MDMA or “ecstasy” tablets and circumvent legal controls. In the past few years, forensic analysis of MDMA tablets consisted of synthetic cathinones, like methylone. These substances are seen in powder form, tablets, capsules, or liquid form. As regulations increase for these synthetic stimulants, it is likely that other similar substances, not specifically prohibited by legislation, will emerge into the illicit drug market creating challenges for both law enforcement personnel and forensic laboratories.

Objectives
• Obtain a more clear understanding of the synthetic cathinones affecting the United States
• Obtain a more clear understanding in how synthetic cathinones are often found in combination with other synthetic drugs or marketed as other drugs
• Obtain knowledge on synthetic cathinone legislation and regulations