TIAFT Talks Synthetic Cannabinoids

An accomplished toxicologist who has been in the field for more than 30 years, Dr. Barry Logan serves as chief scientist/senior vice president of forensic science initiatives for National Medical Services (NMS) Labs and executive director of the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE). Dr. Barry Logan is also a member of the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT).

Earlier this year, TIAFT issued an alert concerning synthetic cannabinoids found to be causing severe health complications, and in one case death, in the Czech Republic. The synthetic in question is referred to as “Bakiba,” and it has been suspected that some 3,000 doses were circulated throughout the city of Ostrava and the surrounding area in the month of September. As of late September, authorities had made six arrests and confiscated 40 packs of the drugs.

Toxicologists in the region have been urged to be on the lookout for these types of intoxicants. The issue, however, isn’t limited to the Czech Republic. Synthetic cannabinoid is found in the United States and is used by both high school students and adults. These drugs are dangerous and the risk of harm is 30 times greater than that of actual marijuana. Increased use means that toxicologists in the US should also be cognizant of these drugs when performing toxicological analyses.

Searching for the True Nature of W-18

As the senior vice president of forensic science initiatives at NMS Labs, toxicologist Dr. Barry Logan investigates and reports on developments in drug chemistry and use. Toxicologist Dr. Barry Logan also serves as the executive director of the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, through which he publishes on drugs such as W-18.

Developed in the 1980s as a painkiller but never tested in human trials, W-18 reemerged several years ago as a designer street drug. Significant numbers of overdoses suggested that the drug was an extremely lethal opioid, more than 1000 times stronger than fentanyl. 

Researchers later discovered that W-18 was not an opioid at all. It has no effect on opioid receptors or psychoactive drug receptors, a fact that explains early reports of the ineffectiveness of the overdose antidote drug naloxone. Scientists have called for additional research to determine how W-18 works and why it has been connected with so many overdose deaths.