JRC scientists support the EU's fight against illicit drugs with their work on speedy recognition of new psychoactive substances. New substances are discovered on the illicit drug market every week, which creates an enormous challenge for customs controls and forensic laboratories.
The JRC has developed analytical strategies that enable quicker identification and characterisation of unknown organic chemical substances and works closely with the Customs Laboratories European Network's project group on designer drugs and other illicit products on the implementation of such tests.
According to the most recent update by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), 101 new psychoactive substances were reported for the first time in 2014. More than 450 psychoactive substances are currently being monitored by the EMCDDA.
Seizure data confirm the growth and significance of this drug market which is of serious concern to Member States' public health authorities.
The JRC is using its state of the art high resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Mass Spectroscopy (MS) laboratories to identify the best testing strategies for unknown chemicals suspected to be in designer drugs. It works in close collaboration with the customs laboratories and the EMCDDA towards harmonisation and dissemination of the analytical methods and improved data sharing, as well as with police laboratories and the European Network of Forensic Institutes (ENFSI).
June 26 is the International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, this day serves as a reminder of the goals agreed upon by Member States in creating an international society free of drug abuse.
More information on the analytical strategies required for fast identification and characterisation of unknown organic chemical substances and be found in the JRC's report on characterisation of New Psychoactive Subtances (NPS) 
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