The illegal drugs market is constantly evolving with new synthetic drugs hitting the market on a daily basis.  To help the management of drug misuse the NHS and a charity partner came together to host the UK’s first Novel Drug Trends conference.

The conference examined the risks and challenges from the newer synthetic Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) such as “Spice” and those formally known as “legal highs.”

Over 130  professionals attended from a range of fields related to the management of drug misuse including; expert psychiatrists, psychologists and trainees from C&I and other health organisations, as well as prison officials. 

The Forward Trust co-hosted the conference, in partnership with Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust at the end of 2018.

Forward Trust’s CEO, Mike Trace, commented at the conference

Spice, or NPS, presents a specific challenge for us when designing services. We have to change our treatment systems to adjust to this new pattern of drug use and the introduction of these new substances.

Amongst other external speakers was David Nutt, Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London, who provided a personal insight into the history of drug prohibition in the UK and US.

Image: Mike Trace, CEO of Forward Trust