Ayrshire and Arran
Alcohol and Drug Partnerships
Drug Trend Monitoring Group
May 2015
Bulletin 5
Welcome to the Drug Trend Monitoring Group Bulletin
In this issue .....
Current Trends
 East Ayrshire
 North Ayrshire
 South Ayrshire
 Ayrshire
Local Information
 New Psychoactive
Substances (NPS)
Annual Report
 Video Issues “Legal
Highs”Alert
The purpose of the bulletin is to keep you up to date with the
information that the group is provided with by partners and
colleagues in relation to substances that are being used locally.
We also hope to provide you with information from partners that are
represented at the Group and demonstrate the work undertaken by
them with regard to NPS.
Information on National activity will be shared along with anything
else we may hear about.
We hope that you find the information useful and that you will
contact us if there is anything else we can help make you aware of.
We would encourage you to complete an Information Collection
Template for any substances that are prevalent in your area. Whilst
we may have heard of them, it is always useful to share with
partners what substances are in use and where at any given time. If
there is a substance that you and your colleagues are aware of, feel
free to complete on behalf of the whole team, and we welcome any
information of new substances in circulation.
National Information
 Neptune Website
 Temporary Banning
Order
 Nespresso / Lungo
Please click on the icon below to access an Information Collection
ecstasy tablet design
Template
 Learning session
focuses on New
Psychoactive
Substances
Information
 “Vortex” and “Jack and Collection Template
Jill’s”
 Scottish
Families
Affected by Alcohol &
Drugs Questionnaire
Information Feature
 Scottish Families
Affected by Alcohol &
Drugs
Training Events
Contact Details
Current Trends
The Drug Trend Monitoring Group seeks to ensure that the information circulated is up to date and accurate, but
it should be noted that the information may be anecdotal. Whilst it is hoped that the contents will be informative,
it is for general information only. We believe the contents to be true and accurate as at the date of writing but
can give no assurances or warranty regarding the accuracy, currency or applicability of any of the contents in
relation to specific situations and particular circumstances
East Ayrshire



Reports of Sweet Leaf and Clockwork Orange and other synthetic cannabinoids.
Individual who had previous heroin and methadone addiction now travelling to Glasgow on
daily basis to source NPS. Taking substance before getting back on train and getting into
trouble as a result.
Reports of cannabis at a high school in east Ayrshire – information session being
provided.
North Ayrshire
 Various NPS (some of which are Green Beans, Blues, Devils Extra Strength, White
Rockets (all pills) then China White, Spellweaver and Chang (all powders). When using
“pills” caller states that her partner is easier to communicate with than when taking
powders. By this she means she can talk him round and he is more social. She states
she can tell by looking at him what he has taken. When he has been using powders he is
very agitated, does not sleep and basically stays awake until they have worn off, he gets
in to a “fit of rage” and there is nothing that will stop him doing what he decides to do.
This has resulted in him throwing property out of their house window into the garden,
being verbally abusive to their neighbours. Caller is frightened of him when he is in this
“rage” however when not using NPS he is the kindest/loving person she knows.
 Cyclizine (antihistamine) – user reports to be injecting along with Heroin as they believe
this provides an “increased rush”.
 Hill Billy Heroin – not much information. Comes in tablet format which is then crushed and
snorted. (Oxycontin, an opiate used in the US is known as “Hill Billy heroin”. Oxycontin
is a controlled a Class 'A' drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971).
South Ayrshire
 Bombay Blue - User displays signs of being disorientated, lacking physical coordination
or mental aptitude. The user will usually look relaxed and care free with talk of feeling
good. The drug also has the effect of bringing users together to take part in the activity
which has an effect on the socialisation process of the participants leading to group
bonding which makes it difficult for users to leave this group. The high from this drug
seems to last a shorter period of time than cannabis which increases the use of the drug
leaving the user looking for more of it. This drug is contributing to the erratic behaviours
of the young people using it, where opportunities and progression routes are available
this drug seems to contribute somewhat to the young people not taking up on these
opportunities.
 In Ayr, people are apparently being able to buy goods from Heads of Ayr “on tick”.
Bombay Blue and Moonshine most commonly being used.
 One individual well known to service who has been using Bombay Blue has been making
inappropriate comments to staff. This is very out of character for this person.
 Gabapentin/Pregabalin has been reported as an issue by clients.
 Report that customers are being offered an “out of hours service” by Heads of Ayr where
they can phone and arrange for a delivery to be made even when the shop is closed.
Pan Ayrshire
 Dogs Bollocks, Bang, Paradox, Viper and Squidgy Black. (Caller indicated that the list is
endless, but this was all she could remember off hand). User is no longer using
traditional Cannabis as he can get more NPS for his money which gives him a better
“feeling” however it is thought to emphasises his personality disorder. He refuses to
believe this despite the caller videoing his behaviour when he is in a rage. The caller’s
brother has always had “issues” with mental health having borderline personality disorder
with no official diagnosis. He used to smoke Cannabis however has moved to NPS as it
is more “readily available” in their community and he believes he does not have the big
risk of prosecution. When taking NPS he is “normal” when using Sweet Leaf but when
using the others you can see the aspects of his personality disorder being more apparent
with hallucinations, hearing voices which tell him to hurt himself resulting in self harm
which the caller has treated herself. She is reluctant to take him to hospital as last time
he was there he went into a fit of rage and pushed nursing staff which the caller is
embarrassed about and would rather deal with it herself than have to let somebody else
manage it.
Local Report
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) Annual Report
Please find attached the New Psychoactive Substances Annual Report prepared by Marie
Wilson, Education & Prevention Specialist, Prevention & Service Support Team, Addiction
Services
NPS 2014 Final
Report
Video Issues 'Legal Highs' Alert
An interactive online film for teenagers which highlights the dangers of so-called ``legal highs''
has been launched by police and other authorities. Please click on link below for more
information.
http://www.westfm.co.uk/localnews/video-issues-legal-highs-alert/
National Information
Neptune Website
NEPTUNE has been developed to improve clinical practice in the management of harms
resulting from the use of club drugs and NPS. It is aimed at clinicians working in a range of
frontline settings, including drug treatment and recovery services, emergency departments,
sexual health services and primary care. For further information, please click on the link
below.
http://neptune-clinical-guidance.co.uk
Temporary Banning Order
Ban on five substances came into force at 00:01 on Friday 10 April for up to 12 months.
The drugs will be made illegal from Friday 10 April for up to 12 months while the independent
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) decides whether they should be
permanently controlled.
Misuse
The government accepted the ACMD’s advice to place a Temporary Class Drug Order
(TCDO) on five compounds related to methylphenidate, a Class B drug, due to concerns
about their misuse as new psychoactive substances (NPS).
Ethylphenidate, one of the drugs being banned, has emerged as an alternative to cocaine
and is sold using the street names ‘Gogaine’ and ‘Burst’.
Users have been known to inject the drug, putting themselves at risk of blood-borne disease
and infection.
To prevent users from switching to related drugs with similar harms, the ACMD
recommended that the following four drugs are also banned: 3,4-Dichloromethylphenidate
(‘3,4-DCMP’), Methylnaphthidate, Isopropylphenidate and Propylphenidate
Nespresso / Lungo ecstasy tablet design
Learning session focuses on New Psychoactive Substances
On Monday (20th April 2015) the North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) hosted
a learning session on New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).
Over 120 delegates attended the event at the Greenwood Conference Centre in Irvine to
discuss and share ideas helping shape future activity and services in North Ayrshire and
further afield.
A range of experts in the subject of NPS (or so called Legal Highs) came from across the
country to hear of the work taking place locally, to discuss current trends and a way forward in
reducing the effect drug misuse, but in particular NPS, has on communities.
Delegates included representatives from North Ayrshire Council, Police Scotland, the
National Health Service, local young people and representatives from the recovery arena.
Paul Wheelhouse, Scottish Government Minister for Community Safety, opened the event
and provided an update on the work taking place nationally around NPS.
Chief Inspector Tim Ross, Chair of the North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drugs Partnership,
commented "today's event was to share best practice and discuss a way forward in protecting
people from the dangers associated with NPS and drug misuse. The energy in the room
demonstrated how determined partners are at working together both locally and nationally to
keep people safe. I would like to thank everyone who attended the event, our invited guests
who presented at the event and the team at Greenwood for their hospitality."
For more information on the work of the local ADP visit www.naadp.com
“Vortex” and “Jack and Jill’s”
Recently Durham Trading standards attended a head shop in Darlington, County Durham and
took 10 different N.P.S products.
The following two products contained Methylphenidate, which is a class B controlled drug.
A sealed multi coloured foil pouch labelled “Vortex” research chemical powder which was
457 milligrams of white powder. The ingredients were:
1-(thio-phen-2-yl)-2-methylaminopropane (also known as METHIOPROPAMINE)
(RS)-ethyl-2-phenyl-2-piperidin-2-ylacetate (also known as ETHYLPHENIDATE)
The major component of this white powder was ETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE.
This powder was also found to contain METHYLPHENIDATE, BENZOCAINE and
CAFFEINE.
A sealed multi-coloured pouch labelled “Jack and Jills” research chemical pellet, inside was
one orange tablet. The major constituent was found to be METHYLPHENIDATE, the tablet
was also found to contain ETHYLPHENIDATE.
Methylphenidate, which is a class B controlled drug.
Vortex and Jack and
Jills
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs (SFAD)
Are you a family member/close other affected by a loved ones alcohol & other drugs
use?
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs (SFAD) are working with researchers at
Edinburgh University to gain more information from families/close others who have been
affected by alcohol & other drugs in Scotland. This study will involve you completing a short
telephone survey. Click on the link below for more information.
SFAD Research
Poster.pdf
Information Feature
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs is an organisation set up to support individuals
who are affected by someone else’s substance use. What does that actually mean? It
means it doesn’t have to only be a family member that is using drugs or alcohol, after all what
is family? Your friends are part of your extended family and are all people that you care
about. We are here to support any individual who is directly affected by someone else’s
substance use or are worried about someone else’s substance use. Maybe you only have a
suspicion that somebody is using a substance and you don’t know what to do.
So what do we actually do?
We offer support via a confidential helpline service across the whole of Scotland (for people
aged 18 and over). The Helpline is available Monday to Friday 0900-2300 hours and
Saturday and Sunday 1700-2300 hours. It can be contacted by calling 08080 101011 (free
from landlines and from 1st July will be free from mobiles, until this date call charges may vary
from mobiles), via sending an email to helpline@sfad.org.uk or via webchat which you will find on
our website www.sfad.org.uk. Your call/email/webchat will be answered by either a staff
member or one of our trained volunteers who are here to listen and provide you with
information on what organisation are local that may be able to assist you. If there are no
operators available there is a secure voicemail where you can leave a message and
someone will call you back. Likewise if you are calling from a mobile when your call is
answered please tell the operator that you would like a call back.
What types of organisations would that be?
We provide information on Family Support Groups in your area where you can go and speak
with other people who are going through the same situation as yourself. Family Support is a
great way to learn how other people have coped with the challenges of someone else’s
substance use and can provide ideas on how you can manage your situation. It is also a
great way to get out and have some time for yourself but with people who understand your
situation. We provide information on Treatment Services in your local area if you are looking
for somewhere that your loved one can go and get help with their substance use. From
listening to your situation we can identity a host of other support organisations, both locally
and nationally, that can help you.
What if there are no Family Support Groups near where I stay?
When you contact us and we determine there are is no suitable family support near where
you live we can refer you to our Telehealth Service. This is a telephone/video chat based
support provided direct by Scottish Families for people who live in rural and remote areas. It
is 6 sessions and can help you to explore and understand your situation and what you can
change whilst helping you to develop and implement coping skills and strategies to manage
difficult situations and behaviours.
From the 8th June 2015 we have recently launched our Bereavement Support Service which
is for individuals who have lost a loved one due to a drugs related death. If you have been
affected by the death of a loved one which was recognised as being attributed to drug use
within the last 2 years, contact us and we can refer you in to our new service. Our Coordinator will call you back and discuss what support is available to you both locally and
remotely.
For further information, please click on link below, or contact Suzanne, details below.
SFAD Information
Suzanne Gallagher
Helpline Development Officer
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs
3rd Floor, Stirling House, 226 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G25RQ
Tel: 0141 221 0544
suzanne@sfad.org.uk
www.sfad.org.uk
Training Events
Ayrshire Wide Training Events
For a comprehensive list of all addiction related training please visit the PSST website click
here
Contact Details
If you would like further information about anything in this bulletin, or if you would like
something specific in the next bulletin, please contact :
Marie Wilson
DTMG Chairperson
 : 01563 826312  : marie.wilson@aapct.scot.nhs.uk
or
Lesley Robb
ADP Information Officer
: 01563 825882 : lesleyrobb@nhs.net