"10,000 Tomek coins amassed: Who's becoming hooked and for what reasons?"
Young Russians Turning Away from Alcohol Towards Synthetic Drugs
A worrying trend is emerging in Russia, as young people are increasingly swapping alcohol for cheaper synthetic drugs, particularly among urban and more affluent segments of the population. Among these synthetic substances, "spice" (synthetic cannabinoids) is a notable concern[1].
This shift away from alcohol consumption towards synthetic drugs presents a concerning development. While data from Russia highlights that mortality increases are not always linked to alcohol, the rise of synthetic drugs poses distinct health hazards due to their toxicity and unpredictability compared to traditional substances[1].
The use of synthetic drugs like spice can lead to a host of health risks. These include increased mortality, risk of poisoning and toxic effects, and wider social and psychological impact. Younger and urban populations using these substances may face issues such as addiction, impaired cognitive development, and social disintegration, amplifying public health challenges.
Synthetic drugs like spice often contain a mixture of chemically produced compounds that can be much more potent and dangerous than natural cannabis, leading to acute poisonings and long-term neurological damage. According to international data, synthetic cannabinoids cause more severe psychiatric and physical effects than natural cannabis, including agitation, psychosis, and overdose risk.
In Russia, narcologists employ a comprehensive approach to treating addictions, combining traditional methods with art therapy and other modern techniques. However, with the emergence of new synthetic drugs, there is a growing need for more effective strategies to address this issue.
Approximately 3,000 individuals have drug dependence or occasionally use banned substances, with around 1,500 individuals misusing alcohol but not yet developing a dependence. Individuals struggling with alcohol dependence are typically aged 45-60, while the age range of narcotics users is predominantly 35-45.
It is crucial to note that synthetic drugs like spice can cause severe addiction after just a few uses. For example, there have been cases of an 11-year-old child trying spice. As such, it is essential to raise awareness about the dangers of these substances and implement harm reduction strategies to protect young people from the severe consequences of synthetic drug use.
Further detailed epidemiological studies and harm reduction strategies are critical in Russia to address this growing issue. While directly Russia-specific quantitative data or focused reports on spice-related overdoses or addiction severity were not found in the search results, the general global pattern is that synthetic drug use poses significant risks to public health.
[1] Data and information sourced from various credible online resources.
- The rise of synthetic drugs like spice in Russia's youth, particularly the urban and affluent, is a concerning shift for mental health, as these substances can lead to addiction, impaired cognitive development, and social disintegration.
- The toxicity and unpredictability of synthetic drugs, such as spice, make them distinct health hazards compared to traditional substances, with potential risks extending to various aspects of health-and-wellness, including neurological damage and increased mortality.
