UNODC EWA: Number of NPS reported for the first time at lowest level since 2010
VIENNA, Austria – October 2024: In 2023, a total of 44 unique new psychoactive substances (NPS) have been reported for the first time to the UNODC Early Warning Advisory on NPS (EWA), by 34 countries and territories. While at a similar level as in 2022, this constitutes the lowest number of NPS reported for the first time since start of the monitoring, and represents a significant decrease compared to previous years, when up to 175 substances were reported for the first time to the EWA in a single year.
Out of the 44 NPS reported for the first time in 2023, synthetic cannabinoids were the largest group at the global level with 14 substances, 10 of which belonged to a less well studied group of cannabinoids known as “semi-synthetic” cannabinoids, followed by synthetic cathinones with 9 substances and nitazenes with 6 substances.
Figure 1: New psychoactive substances reported for the first time from 2010 to 2023, by effect group
Source: UNODC Early Warning Advisory on New Psychoactive Substances, 2024.
Figure 2: New psychoactive substances reported for the first time at the global level in 2023, by structural group (n=44)
Source: UNODC Early Warning Advisory on New Psychoactive Substances, 2024.
Note: Similarities in chemical structure do not always reflect identical psychoactive effects and a known psychoactive effect can be produced by dissimilar chemical structures.
The emergence of new substances poses significant challenges to control efforts and health services. To assist the work of law enforcement, forensic drug testing and toxicology laboratories, UNODC provides analytical information on NPS in the UNODC EWA as well as assistance in the areas of quality assurance, provision of manuals and guidelines, field detection, and training. Moreover, information from the UNODC EWA contributes to identifying the most harmful, persistent and prevalent NPS as an important step towards prioritizing NPS for international review in the framework of the International Drug Control Conventions.
For more information please see:
UNODC EWA news: February 2024 – Nitazenes – a new group of synthetic opioids emerges
