Diverted medications and new psychoactive substances-A chemical network analysis of discarded injecting paraphernalia in Hungary.

Background: Until about 2010, people who inject drugs (PWIDs) injected almost exclusively heroin and amphetamines in Hungary. After 2010, self-reported studies have indicated a dominance of new psychoactive substances on the drug market for injectable drugs.

Methods: Between March 2015 and February 2016, we collected used and discarded injecting paraphernalia.

Drug residues in syringes and other injecting paraphernalia in Hungary.

The appearance and spread of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is a phenomenon seen throughout Europe since 2008. Synthetic cathinones, a group of NPS, have been self-reported as the drug injected by the vast majority of people who inject drugs (PWID) in Hungary. This study aims at updating our knowledge of what exactly are the compounds injected by PWID.