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Chapter 1: Introduction
Background
1. In 2007 there were reports, in line with other European Countries 1, of a significant increase in cocaine use in some parts of Scotland and some concern that services were unable to address the needs. This, coupled with the fact that the last Government report on the use of psychostimulants had been published in 2002 2, led the previous administration to ask the Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse ( SACDM) to set up a short-life project group to examine the issue.
The project group and terms of reference
2. The first meeting of the Working Group took place in February 2007 (a list of members is set out in Annex A) and it was agreed that the remit of the Psychostimulant Project Group would be to:
- identify the extent and impact of psychostimulant use in Scotland; and
- review current service provision and to make recommendations on how to improve access, range and quality of services available to psychostimulant users.
3. The Group used the report of 2002 as a starting point.
What do we mean by psychostimulants?
4. Psychostimulants are substances that excite the central nervous system. They have the potential to produce feelings of alertness and wellbeing. They are habit forming and can cause dependence. Abrupt discontinuation can result in a characteristic withdrawal syndrome.
5. There are a number of naturally occurring psychostimulants, such as caffeine, nicotine, ephedrine and cocaine. There are also synthetic stimulants, which are predominantly amphetamines. They have been used as appetite suppressants and have been investigated for their potential to decrease fatigue and increase work output. Unlike opiates, there is no medical substitution for psychostimulants. Generally speaking problems with psychostimulants are addressed through psychosocial interventions often in conjunction with complimentary therapies such as acupuncture and massage 3.
6. The psychostimulants covered by this report are:
Amphetamines (speed, whiz) - a group of chemically related synthetic stimulant drugs generally produced illicitly or as tablets legally produced by pharmaceutical firms and subsequently diverted onto the illicit market.
Cocaine - cocaine hydrochloride and cocaine alkaloid which is known as 'crack' or 'freebase'.
Methylamphetamine (meth, crystal meth, crystal, ice) - a powerful synthetic stimulant usually manufactured illicitly.
7. The Group recognised that substances such as gammahydraxybutrate ( GHB), ketamine and other drugs, such as cannabis and alcohol, whilst not psychostimulants, were also used widely in conjunction with psychostimulants and are also prevalent in the recreational drug scene.
Structure of the report
8. Subsequent chapters of this report set out:
Chapter 2: Extent and impact of the psychostimulant use in Scotland
Chapter 3: Reducing harm from psychostimulants
Chapter 4: Reducing supply of psychostimulants
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