SCOTLAND, United Kingdom – December 2016: The report titled “Understanding the patterns of use, motives, and harms of New Psychoactive Substances in Scotland” presents the findings of a collaborative research project between the Scottish Drugs Forum and Glasgow University addressing new psychoactive substances (NPS) use in Scotland. Carried out between December 2015 and July 2016, this research features a survey that was conducted among drug users of five population groups: vulnerable young people, people in contact with mental health services, people affected by homelessness, people who inject drugs (PWID) and men who have sex with men (MSM).

The survey results show that among respondents who had used an NPS in the last 6 months, 41 per cent had used synthetic cannabinoids and 19 per cent mephedrone. In general, NPS users displayed a high tendency of polydrug use, with only one respondent reporting to have solely used NPS. Among the key motivations for initially trying NPS were the ease of access, curiosity and influence of peers, as well as pleasure, price and potency. Concerning the harms associated with the consequences of NPS use, 25 per cent of all respondents who had used an NPS in the last 6 months reported anxiety, 12 per cent reported paranoia and 20 per cent reported depression. Moreover, the majority of respondents reported negative effects on their family relationships relating to NPS use.



Report to the Scottish Government – Understanding the patterns of use, motives, and harms of New Psychoactive Substances in Scotland