Better analysis needed to track down the source of new chemicals in illicit drugs
The Office of Narcotics Control Board has been training personnel in drug analysis to handle new illicit substances coming onto the streets.
A Chinese analysis lab has recently discovered 230 new psychotropic substances which are making their way into recreational drugs and other foods.
China has subsequently banned several beverages and sweets that contain these new illegal substances.
Thailand’s Justice Minister Prajin Juntong says that better analysis was key in drug prevention and suppression, as it helped identify the sources of the precursor chemicals. Each source used different formulae or ingredients, he said.
“New chemicals that were not used in narcotics before, and not listed in official databases, are now being used. So each confiscated batch will no longer be destroyed right away but be analysed first.”
“Lab tests are time-consuming and require new technology to ensure tests can keep up with the drug trade. This information was shared globally.”
He reported that Thailand has been cooperating with Australia, China and Singapore and other ASEAN countries in sharing knowledge and analysis techniques.
“Thailand usually serves as a transit country for narcotic smuggling to a third country.”
China’s National Narcotics Control Commission analyst Liu Peipei says her agency recently found 230 new psychoactive substances that could yield “highs”, but had different ingredients from heroin, methamphetamine and other common drugs.
“Recently China has banned the sale of a beverage contaminated with a narcotic that may be harmful to consumers. We also found THC (the active chemical in cannabis) in chocolate and jelly,” she said.
SOURCE: The Nation
