João Matias

2 papers in the library · 46 citations · publishing 2024-2025

Papers

Influent wastewater analysis to investigate emerging trends of new psychoactive substances use in Europe.

Water research May 1, 2024 Noelia Salgueiro-Gonzalez, Frederic Béen, Lubertus Bijlsma et al. 46 citations

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) can provide objective and timely information on the use of new psychoactive substances (NPS), originally designed as legal alternatives to internationally controlled drugs. NPS have rapidly emerged on the global drug market, posing a challenge to drug policy and a risk to public health. A WBE approach monitored over 300 NPS, plus fentanyl and norfentanyl, in influent wastewater from 12 European cities during March–June 2021. Fentanyl, norfentanyl, and eight NPS were quantified, with at least three substances found in each city. N,N-dimethyltryptamine and 3-methylmethcathinone (3-MMC) were the most common; 3-MMC had the highest mass loads, up to 24.8 mg/day/1000 inhabitants. Spatial trends and a changing weekly profile for 3-MMC were observed. WBE is a useful tool to complement common indicators for public health protection.

DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121390 Full text 3-methylmethcathinone Spatial trends Suspect screening Synthetic opioids +6

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) use and harms in Ireland: New findings from the 2024 European Web Survey on Drugs.

The International journal on drug policy November 1, 2025 Deirdre Mongan, Nicki Killeen, Seán R Millar et al.

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), a semi-synthetic cannabinoid sold openly in Ireland as a legal cannabis alternative until July 2025, has become a prominent feature of the Irish drug landscape. Among 2,314 adults who had used drugs in the past year, 36.2% reported lifetime HHC use, 33.5% past-year use, and 17.8% past-month use. The main reason for first trying HHC was its easy availability in stores, with 62.4% obtaining it from high street shops. Negative consequences were reported by 89.9% of users, including anxiety or panic (14.7%), faintness or dizziness (13.4%), dissociation or depersonalisation (11.9%), hallucinations or psychosis (3.9%), depression (3.6%), and withdrawal symptoms (3.2%). The findings indicate HHC poses public health concerns and requires monitoring.

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.105011 Full text Drug harms Drug use prevalence Hexahydrocannabinol Semi-synthetic cannabinoids