The risk of emerging new psychoactive substances: The first fatal 3-MeO-PCP intoxication in The Netherlands.
Lutea A A de Jong, E. J. Olyslager, W. Duijst
Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine July 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2019.05.011 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA fatal case in the Netherlands involved 3-methoxyphencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP), a structural analog of phencyclidine sold as ant poison. The substance was detected in postmortem whole blood at 152 μg/l, and the cause of death was a combination of 3-MeO-PCP, amphetamine, and alcohol. This is one of the few reported fatalities worldwide where 3-MeO-PCP contributed to death. Improved diagnostic skills are needed to address emerging novel psychoactive substances and their public health and social risks.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | One deceased individual in the Netherlands |
| Keywords | Medicine |
| Key finding | The cause of death was a combination of 3-MeO-PCP, amphetamine, and alcohol, with 3-MeO-PCP detected at 152 μg/l in whole blood. |
Abstract
Structural analogs of classic drugs, also called designer drugs, are a booming market due to the easy accessibility on the internet and their legal status. One of those 'legal highs' is an analog of phencyclidine, namely 3-methoxyphencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP). Very few fatalities have been reported where 3-MeO-PCP contributed to the death of an individual. We present the first fatal case in the Netherlands and one of the few worldwide. Postmortem biological samples and the presumed abused unknown substance, sold as ant poison, were obtained. 3-MeO-PCP was detected, and the resulting concentration was 152 μg/l in whole blood. The presumed taken unknown sample was identified as 3-MeO-PCP and thus linked to the victim. The cause of death was a combination of 3-MeO-PCP, amphetamine, and alcohol. Improved diagnostic skills are necessary to face these emerging novel psychoactive substances also in light of public health and social risks.