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EU project regarding Spice and synthetic cannabinoids

So far, there is little scientific evidence on the distribution, the consumers and the risk evaluation of synthetic cannabinoids. The EU project, "Spice and synthetic cannabinoids" led by Dr. Volker Auwärter of the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Freiburg develops a multidisciplinary approach, to allow more insights into the topic. In order to achieve this target the project focused on two areas. On the one hand, studies were conducted on the identification and quantification of substances in products and human samples as well as for elucidation of their risk profiles (the results are accessible on this website amongst other information). On the other hand, socio scientific data was collected on types of consumers, consumer motivations and possible psychosocial hazards. Objective of the project was the development of effective preventive measures with regard to synthetic cannabinoids.

Duration of the project: 01.01.2011-31.12.2012

·        Project director: Dr. Volker Auwärter, University of Freiburg (Forensic Toxicology).

Partners:
- Goethe-University Frankfurt, Centre for Drug Research, Germany
- Medical University Vienna, Institute of Cancer Research, Austria
- University of Helsinki, Department of Forensic Medicine, Finland

Associate partners:
- Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt), Wiesbaden, Germany
- National Bureau for Drug Prevention, Warsaw, Poland
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- City of Frankfurt, Drugs Department, Germany
- University of Bern, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Switzerland

·        Problem / research focus: monitoring of products and substances, testing for specific harmfulness of certain synthetic cannabinoids, compilation of available research results according variety, availability and consumption of these substances, creation of material for prevention work (website, flyers etc.).

·        The project is based, amongst other things, on a pilot study and a follow-up study on the distribution and consumption of so-called Spice and other herbal mixtures, which was conducted in 2009-2010 by the „Centre for Drug Research“. These were the first social scientific studies on this subject.

Funded by the Drug Prevention and Information Programme of the European Union.