An emerging phenomenon in emergency
The Hospital Clínic has observed a significant increase in cases of poisoning related to synthetic cannabinoids, better known as cannabis treats. In the course of 2024, 24 confirmed cases have been recorded, a figure that has increased considerably compared to previous years, doubling the numbers two years ago.
Tourists and the risk of goodies
Emilio Salgado, head of the Toxicology Unit, emphasized that among the users of these products, tourists, especially women, represent a significant group. These buy treats as memories in specialized stores. Marina Parra, head of pharmacology and toxicology, has warned of the lack of regulation that surrounds these products, which may contain dangerous substances that, with only one or two units, can cause loss of consciousness.
Alarming statistics on poisoning
In a wider balance, the Hospital Clínic attended 2,384 cases of poisoning last year, representing 2.2% of the total number of patients who visited the emergency. This data marks a 14% increase in five years, which Salgado considers an alarming public health problem that requires a multidisciplinary response to identify new patterns of consumption and abuse.
Medicines as a source of risk
According to the report from the Toxicology Unit, 63% of cases of emergency poisoning are attributable to abuse drugs, while 25% correspond to medicine poisoning. Within the latter group, benzodiazepines are responsible for half of the cases, and surprisingly, paracetamol is 67% of medicine poisoning.
We patter with drugs
The report also reveals a significant increase in the use of new substances, such as the ‘tusium’, a mixture of MDMA and ketamine, which has grown four times, from 0.66% to 2.58%. An increase has also been observed in the cases of crack, which have tripled in two years. In addition, 57% of abuse drug poisoning are attributable to alcohol consumption.
The appearance of new psychoactive substances
Last year, 233 cases of new psychoactive substances were detected, representing drugs that are not subject to international control. These substances, such as synthetic catinones, raise a growing risk to public health and their proliferation is a serious concern.
Reflections on the future of substance consumption
The growing number of poisoning and the emergence of new drugs are a challenge for health and social authorities. The need for strictest regulation policies and risks to the risks associated with substance use becomes more and more evident, as well as the importance of a coordinated response to address this constantly evolving problem.