Rapid identification of new drugs through online monitoring tools: The case of NBOMe drugs - Dr Monica J Barratt - DrugInfo seminar - New and emerging drugs

Rapid identification of new drugs through online monitoring tools

The case of NBOMe drugs

Dr Monica J. BarrattResearch Fellow, NDRI, Melbourne

0407 778 938m.barratt@curtin.edu.au@monicabarratt

The challenge

• New drugs are rapidly emerging• Survey research: months to years. if ever…• Secondary data: 1 to 3 years! if ever…• Can we better harness internet technologies to

monitor new drugs in real-time?

Real-time online monitoring

• What is happening here, right now?• Four tools I will demonstrate today:– Google trends– Bluelight.ru (drug user forum)– Twitter– Silk Road (online drug marketplace)

Example: NBOMe drugs

• Classical hallucinogens• Structurally similar to 2C-x class– E.g. 25i-NBOMe related to 2C-I

• Potency: microgram dosage, on blotters• Availability: easily sent in the post• Legality: analogue laws likely applicable • Public health: associated deaths and serious

incidents reported in media; scant other published research

1. Google Trends

2. Forum (Bluelight.ru)

3. Twitter

4. Silk Road

Summary

• Real-time data on 25x-NBOMe (25 April, 2013)1. Google Trends: search trend increasing in AU2. Bluelight: sold in AU as is & as LSD; use reports3. Twitter: no discussions in AU4. Silk Road: available at high potency and low price

to AU customers

Limitations

• Not representative• Multiple timepoints?• Non-unique or unknown terminology– e.g. National Board of Osteopathic Medical

Examiners • Searching Twitter geographically is restrictive• Information on harms?

Conclusion

• Demand for altered conscious states continues• New drugs are marketed to meet this demand• Freely available online tools can be used to

track new drug use in sentinel groups with no delay

• This information can guide: – our responses, e.g. harm reduction information– additional research via surveys and indicator data