Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.32984/gapzh.11.1.4
The Exposure of Young People to New Drug Types and Challenges of Adequate Legal Reaction
Barbara Herceg Pakšić
orcid.org/0000-0002-7052-928X
; Faculty of Law, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
Ivan Pakšić
; Osječko-baranjska County Police Administration
Abstract
New psychoactive substances are a form of synthetic drugs produced to mimic the effects of classical drugs. The most represented are the so-called synthetic cannabinoids, present also in the Republic of Croatia (commonly under the name of air fresheners). Until recently, they were commercially available since they were not included in the relevant prohibitive drug suppression provisions of Croatian legislation. This situation lasted until April 2019, when the necessary legal changes in favour of the ban were finally made. On the other hand, the harmful effects of new drugs, especially on the young population, have been covered by media for years before the legislative intervention. There is a lack of scientific research on this topic in relation to the required level. The authors of this paper therefore present the results of two studies showing the exposure of high school students in the Osijek area to these drugs. The obtained findings confirmed the hypotheses about the high familiarity with the refreshers as well as their relatively high consumption. Concerning the findings presented, the authors clearly (re) evaluate the recent legislative reaction as delayed. Given the new circumstances in this field, the paper should also serve as an impetus for further research on this topic.
Keywords
new psychoactive substances; drug suppression; criminal and misdemeanour law; research on drug awareness and consumption
Hrčak ID:
247597
URI
Publication date:
10.12.2020.
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