The trans-3;4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamine) cyclohexyl) labelled as U-47700 has a high affinity with the selective receptor, considered to have 7.5 times the binding affinity of morphine; as a result, it is sold as a recreational drug because of its analgesic and euphoric effects. Several toxicity cases and some fatalities have been reported during 2016.

To describe the presence of trans-3;4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamine) cyclohexyl) in samples delivered to Energy Control during 2016 in Barcelona.

From January 2016 to October 2016, 4031 samples were delivered and only those samples containing trans-3;4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamine) cyclohexyl) were studied, 6 of them were analysed as U-47700 (0.148%). Samples were analysed by energy control, a Spanish harm-reduction NGO that offers users the possibility of analysing the substances they intend to consume. Analysis was done by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.

From the 6 samples that were analysed as trans-3;4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamine) cyclohexyl), the presentation of 4 of them was white powder and the rest were not described. The procedence of the samples was Canada (2), USA (1), Sweden (1), Holland (1) and the remaining sample was not described. All samples were received during 2016.

The use of trans-3;4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamine)cyclohexyl) is progressively increasing in Barcelona. Its harmful effects are being reported in recent medical literature and consumption represents an emerging issue, gaining popularity among recreational opioid users. It is potentially lethal when mixed with depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines and overdose risk is higher compared to other opioids. This drug is not being detected by routine in medical test.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

New psychoactive substances (NPS) are substances that have recently appeared on the market and are not under international control. NPS use is experiencing an unprecedented increase. DiPT, 4-HO-DiPT and 4-AcO-DiPT are new psychoactive tryptamines and their effects may differ from those of other psychoactive tryptamines.

To explore the presence of DiPT, 4-HO-DiPT and 4-AcO-DiPT from samples delivered to and analyzed by Spanish harm reduction service Energy Control.

All samples analyzed from 2009 to 2014 delivered as DiPT, 4-HO-DiPT and 4-AcO-DPT or containing these substances. Analysis was performed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.

From 17,432 samples, 4-HO-DiPT was found in 16, delivered as 4-HO-DiPT (6); 4-AcO-DiPT (7); DiPT (1); 4-AcO-DMT (1) and cocaine (1). 4-AcO-DiPT was found in 16, delivered as 4-AcO-DiPT (12); 5-MeO-DMT (1); 5-MeO-DiPT (1); 4-AcO-DMT (1) and cocaine (1). Only 4 samples contained DiPT, all presented as DiPT. Nine samples contained both 4-AcO-DiPT and 4-HO-DiPT. During the years of study, 4-HO-DiPT deliverance was increasing (4 samples in 2014) while deliverance of 4-AcO-DiPT and DiPT was decreasing (1 sample in 2014).

Increasing 4-HO-DiPT presence could translate a progressive replacement of 4-AcO-DiPT and DiPT recreational use. Clinical relevance comes from its growing use and the absence of scientific evidence on humans, therefore relying on users subjective experience to predict the effects.

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

New designer benzodiazepines such as phenazepam, etizolam, diclazepam, clonazolam and flubromazolam have appeared in the recreational drug market due to that they provide an attractive alternative to prescription-only benzodiazepines as they are readily available over the Internet.

To describe the presence of new designer benzodiazepines in samples delivered to energy control since 2010 to 2016 in Barcelona.

From 2010 to 2016, 24,551 samples were delivered to energy control. Among this samples 43 (0.175%) were analysed as benzodiazepines. They were analyzed by energy control, a Spanish harm reduction NGO that offers the possibility of analyzing the substances that users report. Analysis was done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

From the 43 samples analyzed as benzodiazepines, 1 (2.32%) was delivered in 2010, none in 2011, 2 (4.65%) in 2012, 2 (4.65%) in 2013, 1 (2.32%) in 2014, 15 (34.88%) in 2015 and 21 (48.83%) in 2016.

The data shows that new designer benzodiazepines use is increasing in Barcelona, especially in the last two years. Abuse an addiction to these drugs may be a new public health problem in Barcelona. Unknown side effects may appear due to lack of information about pharmacokinetic profile of these drugs.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Methylphenidate is a CNS stimulant approved for treatment of ADHD. It is generally considered well tolerated and exhibiting low dependence potential, although diversion for recreational use has been described. Provided that its effects are comparable to those of more popular drugs of abuse, such as cocaine and amphetamines, we hypothesized that it could be sold as such.

The aim of this study was:

– to describe the presence of methylphenidate from the samples handled to, and analyzed by, Spanish harm-reduction service energy control between August 2009 and August 2015;

– to determine whether it is being sold as other drugs.

All samples presented to energy control (EC) were analyzed. EC is a Spanish harm-reduction non-governmental organization that offers to users the possibility of analyzing the substances they intend to consume.

Samples in which methylphenidate was detected using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry were selected for this study.

From a total of 20062 samples, 17 contained methylphenidate (0,09%), with no clear variations among the years studied. The samples were mostly sold as amphetamine (29%), methylphenidate (23%) and ethylphenidate (18%).

Presence of Methylphenidate in the Spanish illegal drug market seems anecdotic and stable over the studied timeframe. Moreover, it was sold as substances with similar dosages, lowering potential for life-threatening intoxications. Therefore, our results suggest that diversion of methylphenidate into the drug market as adulterant is not a concerning phenomenon.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.