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. 2016 Sep;35(5):586-90.
doi: 10.1111/dar.12372. Epub 2015 Dec 29.

Novel psychoactive substance use by US adolescents: Characteristics associated with use of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones

Megan E Patrick  1 , Patrick M O'Malley  2 , Deborah D Kloska  2 , John E Schulenberg  2   3 , Lloyd D Johnston  2 , Richard A Miech  2 , Jerald G Bachman  2
Affiliations

Novel psychoactive substance use by US adolescents: Characteristics associated with use of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones

Megan E Patrick et al. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2016 Sep.

Abstract

Introduction and aims: The current study documents the characteristics associated with the use of two novel psychoactive substances: synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones.

Design and methods: Nationally representative samples of students in 8th (n = 9665), 10th (n = 10 655) and 12th (n = 10 057) grades across the US were included in the Monitoring the Future study from 2012 to 2014.

Results: There were relatively few differences in prevalence based on sociodemographic characteristics, although boys were at greater risk for use of synthetic cannabinoids in 12th grade (used by 10.3% of boys and 6.4% of girls) and for use of synthetic cathinones in 10th grade (used by 1.0% of boys and 0.4% of girls). Synthetic drug use was also associated with truancy and use of cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana.

Discussion and conclusions: Prevention and intervention efforts for novel psychoactive substance use should focus primarily on polysubstance users and youth who are disengaged from school.[Patrick M, O'Malley P, Kloska D, Schulenberg J, Johnston L, Miech R, Bachman J. Novel psychoactive substance use by US adolescents: Characteristics associated with use of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:586-590].

Keywords: bath salts; novel psychoactive substances; synthetic cannabinoids; synthetic cathinones; synthetic marijuana.

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