Synthetic drugs: Poisonings double in Ireland in three years

Doctors sound alarm

The drugs are designed to replicate the effects of cocaine or cannabis but can be far stronger, adding a dangerous new layer to the trade in illicit drugs in Ireland.

Thirty cases were reported to the centre last year, and some substances were so novel they could only be identified after further laboratory testing. A new pilot early-warning system for novel substances is already in operation.

Why synthetic drugs are so hard to detect

The proliferation has been described as an “arms race” between chemists producing new compounds and the services trying to catch them, according to The Journal Investigates.

Because the substances are constantly reformulated, routine drug screens in hospitals often miss them, complicating treatment for medics faced with patients who do not know what they have taken.

Health officials hope the early-warning pilot will help frontline staff respond faster as the range of substances in circulation continues to grow.