Drugs agency uncovering new threats

The number of new types of drug being uncovered by authorities has quadrupled in the past five years, according to Scotland’s drug enforcement agency.

Substances such as “legal ket” (methoxetamine) and “mad cat” (mephedrone and phenazepam, which is close to the tranquilliser diazepam) are now emerging at the rate of one a week across Europe.

The Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) said 48 new, unlicensed drugs were “discovered” last year, up from 10 just five years ago.

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