Analiza pojavnosti benzodiazepinov v skupini novih psihoaktivnih snovi med leti 2008 in 2024 v Evropi

Majar, Katja (avtor), Sollner Dolenc, Marija (mentor)

Nove psihoaktivne snovi (NPS) so sintetične ali naravno pridobljene snovi, ki posnemajo učinke prepovedanih drog, vendar zaradi njihove hitro spreminjajoče se sestave in pravnega statusa pogosto ostajajo izven obsega nadzora. Med temi snovmi so tudi benzodiazepini, ki so sicer pomembna skupina zdravil, a se v obliki novih derivatov pojavljajo tudi kot prepovedane droge. V nalogi smo raziskovali pojavnost, uporabo in tveganja povezana z benzodiazepini v okviru NPS, zlasti v povezavi z zlorabo, kombiniranjem z drugimi substancami in vplivom na zdravje uporabnikov. Glavni vir informacij za izvedbo analize je predstavljala Evropska zbirka podatkov o novih drogah (EDND II). Ugotovili smo, da je bilo v Evropi med letoma 2008 in 2024 na novo identificiranih 38 različnih benzodiazepinov. Največ novih benzodiazepinov (24) je bilo odkritih med 2014 in 2018, nato pa se je njihovo število začelo zmanjševati zaradi uspešnih preventivnih ukrepov. Švedska vodi po številu prijav uporabe novih benzodiazepinov, sledijo Nemčija in druge skandinavske države. Kljub majhni populaciji je Slovenija po številu prijav med vodilnimi v Evropi, saj smo prvič zaznali tri nove benzodiazepine, skupaj pa 14 različnih, kar predstavlja približno 37 % vseh prijavljenih različnih benzodiazepinov v bazi EDND II. Sedem teh benzodiazepinov je na slovenskem seznamu prepovedanih snovi, vsi v skupini I z visokim tveganjem za zlorabo in brez priznane medicinske uporabe, vendar za nobenega ni bila izdana ocena tveganja. Večina vzorcev je bila zaseženih, največ v obliki tablet in praškov, novi benzodiazepini pa so se pogosto pojavljali skupaj z drugimi psihoaktivnimi snovmi, kar povečuje možnost smrtnih izidov. Leta 2020 so bili benzodiazepini prisotni v polovici vseh smrtnih primerov zaradi drog v Sloveniji, vendar se ta delež v zadnjih letih zmanjšuje. Benzodiazepini predstavljajo pomemben dosežek v farmaciji kot učinkovita skupina zdravilnih učinkovin, vendar njihova zloraba kot NPS poudarja nujnost osredotočanja na zaščito zdravja posameznika, saj lahko nenadzorovana uporaba povzroči resne psihične in fizične posledice, tudi smrt.

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: nove psihoaktivne snovi, benzodiazepini, Evropa, sintetični benzodiazepini, Evropska agencija za droge
• Vrsta gradiva: Magistrsko delo/naloga
• Organizacija: FFA - Fakulteta za farmacijo
• Leto izida: 2025
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-175025
• Datum objave v RUL: 14.10.2025

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Naslov: Analysis of benzodiazepines incidence in a group of new psychoactive substances between 2008 and 2024 in Europe

Izvleček

New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) are synthetic or naturally derived substances that mimic the effects of controlled drugs, but due to their rapidly changing composition and legal status, they often remain outside the scope of regulatory control. Among these substances are benzodiazepines, which, while significant as a class of medications, also appear as illicit drugs in the form of new derivatives. In this study, we examined the occurrence, use, and risks associated with benzodiazepines within the context of NPS, particularly in relation to misuse, combination with other substances, and the impact on users’ health. The main source of informations for the analysis was the European Database on New Drugs (EDND II). We found that between 2008 and 2024, a total of 38 different benzodiazepines were newly identified in Europe. The highest number of new benzodiazepines (24) was discovered between 2014 and 2018, after which their number began to decline due to successful preventive measures. Sweden leads in the number of reported cases involving new benzodiazepines, followed by Germany and other Scandinavian countries. Despite its small population, Slovenia ranks among the leading European countries in the number of reports, as we were the first to detect three new benzodiazepines, and identified a total of 14 different ones - representing approximately 37 % of all different benzodiazepines reported in the EDND II database. Seven of these benzodiazepines are listed on Slovenian list of prohibited substances, all in Group I with a high risk of abuse and no recognized medical use, although no risk assessment has been issued for any of them. Most of the samples were seized, predominantly in tablet and powder form. New benzodiazepines frequently appeared alongside other psychoactive substances, increasing the risk of fatal outcomes. In 2020, benzodiazepines were present in half of all drug-related deaths in Slovenia, although this proportion has declined in recent years. Benzodiazepines represent a significant achievement in pharmacy as an effective group of medicinal compounds, but their misuse as NPS highlights the urgent need to focus on protecting individual health, as unregulated use can lead to serious mental and physical consequences, including death.

• Ključne besede: new psychoactive substances, benzodiazepines, Europe, synthetic benzodiazepines, European Drugs Agency