Exploring Novel Psychoactive Substances Among Kazakhstan's Youth: A Focus on Emerging Trends and Risks
Background
Kazakhstan, situated in Central Asia, was among the pioneering nations to witness the rapid proliferation of new psychoactive substances (NPS). Reports tracing back to the late 2000s documented the emergence of substances like “spices” and “bath salts”. Presently, synthetic stimulants such as mephedrone and alpha-PVP have notably surpassed traditional opioids in prevalence. The involvement of adolescents and minors in the realm of drug consumption poses a significant apprehension. According to the General Prosecutor's Office, there has been a notable surge in drug-related offenses committed by minors (up by 30 percent) and young adults aged 18 to 34 (increased by 45.5 percent). Kazakhstan has adopted a stringent approach, imposing stricter penalties for offenses linked to the clandestine distribution of NPS, which ensnare young individuals as both couriers and patrons of illicit drug markets. Legal repercussions for drug sales commence from the age of 14, with potential sentences exceeding 10 to 15 years. Despite these measures, there remains a dearth of comprehensive epidemiological data regarding the patterns of synthetic drug usage among the youth, impeding the formulation of informed policy interventions.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the patterns of NPS use across various regions of Kazakhstan, aiming to gauge the accessibility and awareness of these substances among the youth population.
Methodology
In September 2021, a survey encompassing 3,500 young individuals was undertaken across 17 regional hubs of Kazakhstan. This anonymous survey was conducted on the streets of urban centers by a team of interviewers equipped with tablets, positioned at randomly selected points. These points were chosen considering the accessibility of the streets and ensuring an equitable representation of both central and peripheral city districts. The questionnaire covered inquiries regarding lifetime, past-year, and past-month consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and conventional narcotics. The primary section of the questionnaire centered on the respondents' awareness regarding NPS, their experiences with synthetic drug use, as well as the methods and sources of procurement.
Results:
The prevalence of new psychoactive substance (NPS) consumption among the surveyed individuals was 3.9% (95% CI 3.2%; 4.7%). Approximately 46.6% (44.8%; 48.4%) of respondents acknowledged awareness of at least one illicitly available NPS in Kazakhstan. Among these, the most common was the use of synthetic stimulants, particularly prevalent among men aged 30-34, with a rate of 3.4%. A concerning observation was that half of these individuals had engaged in stimulant use within the past year, and one in three reported usage within the last month. Lifetime NPS usage correlated with prior experience of any traditional drug use (OR=11.5 (7.6; 17.4)) and tobacco smoking (OR= 2.2 (1.3; 3.9)), irrespective of gender and age. Additionally, synthetic stimulant use was exclusively associated with prior traditional drug usage (OR=15.9 (9.7; 26.4)). Synthetic cannabinoid consumption showed associations with traditional drug use (OR=7.2 (4.1; 12.8)), male gender (OR=2.0 (1.1; 3.8)), and tobacco smoking (OR=2.9 (1.2; 7.1)).
