In recent months, the discovery of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in Madeira has brought fresh concerns about drug use and youth safety. The Madeira Scientific Police Laboratory recently identified seven new drugs that had never been detected in Portugal. This discovery has shown that current drug laws is too slow to keep up with the growing threat of synthetic drugs. The situation has prompted experts and authorities to consider new approaches to drug prevention.

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New Psychoactive Substances Found In Madeira

The Madeira Scientific Police Laboratory is an extension of the national Judicial Police in Portugal. Experts at the lab have identified seven new drugs over the past year and a half mostly through police seizures.

These drugs were found only in Madeira which raises concerns that the region may be an experimental area for synthetic drugs. According to a specialist from the laboratory Maria João Caldeira none of these drugs had ever appeared on mainland Portugal.

Maria said:

In this year and a half of operation of the laboratory extension in Madeira, we have detected the appearance of seven new substances in the Autonomous Region of Madeira alone, most of them were detected in seizures by the Judiciary Police

The detection of these unknown substances suggests that drug dealers are possibly targeting Madeira with new synthetic drugs. This is concerning for the authorities as it becomes harder to monitor and address these new drugs impact on public health.

Caldeira said during a hearing held by the PSD (Social Democratic Party) in Madeira that this is the first time these substances have been identified in Portugal. The purpose of this hearing was to discuss synthetic drug issues and explore ways to reduce drug consumption.

The Limitation Of Current Drug Laws

One of the main concerns raised during this hearing was about Portugal’s drug laws. The recent amendments to Portugal’s Drugs Law still focus on known drugs but new drugs keep appearing faster than the law can adapt. Caldeira argued that the law lacks flexibility which makes it difficult to handle these new drugs.

The process of changing laws is often too slow to keep up with the changing drug market. By the time a new drug law comes into effect, new drugs may already be circulating. Caldeira said that this delay means that Portugal’s drug laws can become outdated quickly. She suggested creating laws that can classify drugs based on their chemical effects rather than just listing individual substances.

Tracking And Reporting New Drugs

Whenever the lab finds a new substance, it shares the information with European authorities and the Portuguese government. Although this information is important for understanding drug trends, it can not be enough to stop the spread of these substances in Madeira.

Caldeira said:

We carry out studies and when we find something out of the ordinary, we communicate it to Europe and our national representative, without prejudice to establishing other communication mechanisms

Reporting new drugs helps identify regional and European trends which is essential for designing effective policies. But the spread of synthetic drugs in Madeira remains a problem even with this communication.

New Project To Detect Drugs In Wastewater

The Judicial Police (PJ) is planning to launch a project to detect drugs in wastewater in Madeira. Scientists can gather real time data on which drugs are being used and in what areas by studying wastewater. Wastewater testing has been used in other European countries to monitor drug use and can help authorities in Madeira respond faster to new trends.

Experts said:

The PJ is ready to move forward with a project to study Madeira’s wastewater, for research and later for its detection and evaluation

The wastewater project will allow authorities to track drug use without waiting for drug seizures or hospital admissions. It will provide valuable data on the presence and spread of drugs across different parts of the region.

A Dangerous Synthetic Drug: Bloom

One of the synthetic drugs identified in Madeira is called “bloom.” This drug has become popular among young people which causes serious health problems. Last year, many people got admitted in the hospital in Madeira especially among young adults.

She added:

In terms of substances seized, it was also found that the most sold drug would be ‘bloom’. It was a synthetic drug that only last year led to more people being hospitalised in the archipelago

Bloom is designed to mimic the effects of other known drugs but with slight chemical changes. However, synthetic drugs like bloom are often unpredictable which increases the risk of overdose and serious reactions. Caldeira noted that bloom has become one of the most sold drugs in Madeira which shows the need for stronger prevention efforts especially for young people.

Synthetic Drug Use Trends And New Laws Needed In Madeira

Caldeira suggested that the government should consider new and more general drug laws. Current laws focus on individual substances but new drugs can appear quickly and often differ slightly from known drugs.

The low prices of these synthetic drugs also make them appealing to young people. Many young people cannot afford regulated or more expensive drugs so the low cost synthetic options become more attractive.

Reports show that Madeira has the second highest rate of new psychoactive drug use in Portugal just behind the Azores. This trend suggests that Portugal’s island regions may be particularly vulnerable to synthetic drugs. The islands’ isolation and unique enforcement challenges make them an easier target for drug suppliers.