In the shadows of traditional drug markets, a silent revolution was brewing, and forensic scientists were about to uncover its chemical secrets.
When we imagine the illicit drug landscape, most of us picture familiar substances like cannabis, cocaine, or heroin. Yet between 2010 and 2014, a hidden epidemic was quietly emerging across the globe—including in Turkey's Trabzon region. New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), often marketed as "legal highs" or "research chemicals," began appearing in forensic casework, presenting unprecedented challenges for law enforcement and public health authorities 1 . These synthetic compounds, designed to mimic the effects of traditional illicit drugs while circumventing legal restrictions, created a complex cat-and-mouse game between legislators and clandestine chemists.
Between 2010-2014, judicial authorities in Trabzon submitted suspected illicit substances to the Council of Forensic Medicine for analysis, providing crucial insights into the evolving drug market 1 .
The emergence of NPS represents one of the most significant developments in drug markets worldwide.
According to a comprehensive review, more than 400 NPS were reported in Europe alone between 2012 and 2014, with 255 detected just in the 2012-2014 period 5 .
The fundamental challenge with NPS lies in their ever-evolving chemical structures. As soon as one compound becomes regulated, manufacturers slightly modify its molecular structure to create a new, non-prohibited analogue.
These synthetic compounds are typically labeled with deceptive disclaimers like "not for human consumption" to avoid regulatory scrutiny while being intentionally designed to produce psychoactive effects similar to traditional illicit drugs. This constant innovation makes detection, regulation, and understanding of health impacts increasingly difficult for authorities and researchers.
New Psychoactive Substances encompass several distinct chemical families, each with different psychoactive properties and health risks.
Designed to mimic the effects of THC, the active component in cannabis, these compounds are often sprayed onto plant material and sold as "legal weed" or "herbal incense."
Health Risks: Despite their marketing, these substances frequently produce more severe side effects than natural cannabis, including extreme anxiety, psychosis, and potentially fatal toxicity 5 7 .
Synthetic derivatives of the cathinone compound found in the khat plant, these substances are marketed as "bath salts" or "plant food" and produce effects similar to amphetamines or cocaine.
Health Risks: They carry significant risks including cardiotoxicity, severe agitation, and hyperthermia 5 .
Including compounds from the 2C-family and NBOMe series, these substances produce altered perceptions and hallucinations similar to LSD.
Health Risks: They have potentially more dangerous toxic profiles and unpredictable potency compared to traditional psychedelics 5 .
Between 2010 and 2014, judicial authorities in Trabzon, Turkey, submitted suspected illicit substances to the Council of Forensic Medicine Trabzon Group Chairmanship for analysis. This systematic characterization of seized materials provided invaluable insights into the local drug market's evolution and the growing presence of New Psychoactive Substances in the region 1 .
The study established baseline data on the shifting patterns of substance availability in the Black Sea region of Turkey.
The study, presented at the 45th International MEDICHEM Congress in 2017, offered one of the first detailed glimpses into the shifting patterns of substance availability in the Black Sea region of Turkey. Led by researcher Sinan Zazoğlu and colleagues, this work helped establish a baseline understanding of how the global NPS trend was manifesting locally 2 .
The identification of NPS presents unique challenges compared to traditional drug analysis.
Forensic toxicologists employ a multi-technique approach to confidently identify these novel compounds:
While useful for traditional drugs, these often yield false negatives with NPS due to their novel chemical structures.
Techniques like gas chromatography (GC) or liquid chromatography (LC) separate complex mixtures into individual components.
Coupled with chromatography, this technique provides molecular fingerprints of substances by measuring the mass-to-charge ratio of ions.
Identifications are confirmed by comparing retention times and mass spectra with known reference materials.
For completely novel compounds, NMR provides detailed structural information.
The continuous emergence of new substances means forensic laboratories must constantly update their reference libraries and develop new analytical methods—a significant resource challenge for public institutions.
| Technique | Application in NPS Analysis | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Immunoassay screening | Rapid initial testing | Poor cross-reactivity with many NPS |
| Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) | Separation and identification of compounds in mixtures | May degrade thermally unstable NPS |
| Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) | Analysis of polar and thermally labile compounds | Requires specialized equipment |
| High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) | Accurate mass measurement for unknown identification | High cost and operational expertise |
| Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy | Structural elucidation of completely novel compounds | Limited sensitivity, complex interpretation |
The analysis of substances seized between 2010 and 2014 revealed several important trends in the Trabzon region.
While traditional drugs still dominated case numbers, the steady emergence of NPS marked a significant shift in the local drug market.
Despite growing attention on novel substances, traditional drugs and toxic agents continued to represent significant public health threats in the Trabzon region during the study period. Earlier research on fatal poisonings in Trabzon (1998-2008) had established that carbon monoxide was the most common cause of death (63.2%), followed by insecticides (17.2%), and prescription medications and narcotic drugs (9.8%) 8 .
This historical context is important for understanding that while NPS represent an emerging challenge, traditional toxic substances continue to pose substantial risks to public health. The 2010-2014 study built upon this foundation by specifically examining the changing profile of intentionally abused substances, both traditional and novel.
The Trabzon study documented the initial appearance of various NPS classes in forensic casework, reflecting a similar trend observed throughout Turkey. A later study examining narcotics cases assessed by the Council of Forensic Medicine in Ankara between 2016 and 2017 found an increasing diversity of NPS in the Turkish drug market 7 .
The study also identified:
| NPS Category | Examples Identified | Primary Effects | Market Prevalence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic Cannabinoids | 5F-ADB, ADB-FUBINACA, 5-MeO-MiPT | Cannabis-like euphoria, relaxation | Highest among NPS |
| Cathinones | Mephedrone, MDPV, α-PVP | Stimulant effects similar to amphetamines | Moderate |
| Tryptamines | 5-MeO-DALT, 5-MeO-MiPT | Psychedelic experiences | Lower |
| Phenethylamines | 2C-series compounds | Psychedelic and stimulant effects | Lower |
The identification and analysis of New Psychoactive Substances requires specialized equipment, methodologies, and expertise.
The following table outlines key materials and their applications in NPS analysis:
| Reagent/Material | Primary Application | Importance in NPS Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Reference standards | Compound identification | Critical for confirming NPS identity through comparison |
| Solvents for extraction | Sample preparation | Various polarities needed for different NPS classes |
| Derivatization agents | GC-MS analysis | Improves detection of certain NPS compounds |
| Mobile phase additives | LC-MS analysis | Enhances separation and ionization |
| Quality control materials | Method validation | Ensures accuracy and reliability of results |
| Solid-phase extraction cartridges | Sample clean-up | Removes matrix interference for clearer results |
The accuracy and reliability of forensic toxicology results have significant implications for judicial outcomes and public health policies. The principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) provide a quality system framework for planning, performing, monitoring, recording, retaining, and reporting non-clinical health and environmental safety studies 3 .
In Turkey, the Turkish Accreditation Agency (TÜRKAK) serves as the national authority for accreditation, issuing OECD GLP Compliance Certificates to qualified laboratories. As of 2024, there are only 12 centers in Turkey with this accreditation, including the KTU Drug and Pharmaceutical Technology Application and Research Center (ILAFAR) in Trabzon 3 .
Ensures studies meet international standards for quality and reliability
Beyond the analytical challenges, New Psychoactive Substances present significant public health concerns. Accumulating experimental and clinical data indicate that the potential harms associated with second-generation NPS may be even more serious than those described for already banned drugs 5 .
"A significant amount of research is needed in order to fully quantify both the short and long term effects of the second generation NPS, and their interaction with other drugs of abuse" 5 .
Unlike traditional illicit drugs with decades or centuries of human use informing our understanding of their effects, many NPS have unknown toxicity profiles and unpredictable long-term consequences.
Their novelty means that healthcare providers may be unprepared to recognize and treat overdoses, and users are essentially conducting uncontrolled experiments on their own bodies.
The Turkish studies from Trabzon and Ankara contributed to addressing this knowledge gap by documenting which specific substances were actually reaching consumers—a crucial first step in understanding potential health impacts in local populations.
The study of narcotics and new generation psychoactive substances sent to the Council of Forensic Medicine Trabzon Group Chairmanship between 2010 and 2014 provided valuable insights into a rapidly evolving public health challenge. As researcher Sinan Zazoğlu and colleagues documented, the Turkish drug market during this period began to reflect global trends toward synthetic alternatives to traditional illicit drugs 1 2 .
The continuous emergence of new psychoactive substances represents a complex problem requiring equally sophisticated solutions spanning forensic science, public health, legislation, and international cooperation.
This research contributed to building the scientific infrastructure needed to track and respond to an increasingly complex illicit substance market—a challenge that continues to evolve today.
The hidden drug revolution first documented in studies like this one continues to unfold in laboratories, emergency rooms, and communities worldwide, reminding us that our understanding of substance use and abuse must constantly adapt to new chemical realities.
Note: Reference details will be populated separately as they become available.