Patterns of NPS (New Psychoactive Substances) Consumption and Characteristics of Users: Results of the First Online Survey in Georgia (Country)

David Subeliani, Dato Otiashvili, Irma Kirtadze, Lika Kutelia, Tamar Mgebrishvili, Ada Beselia

Background
The study is the first of its kind carried out in Georgia exploring characteristics of NPS users, types of substances used, patterns of use and health risks.

Method
Online survey was placed on Google Forms during four months (June-September, 2017). Recruitment strategy included the use of targeted Facebook advertisements. The survey targeted individuals who had used NPS during last year. Structured questionnaire covered socio-demographics, drug use practices, and perception of effects of NPS use. Uni- and bi-variate analyses were employed for data analysis.

Results
353 responses were taken into the analysis (mean age - 26.8, 77.3% - male, 49% - current NPS users). Mostly used NPS types were cannabis-type (79.3%), MDMA-type (22.1%) and LSD-type (21.2%).

We looked at the context of NPS consumption: MDMA-type - parties (83,90%), home setting (9,70%), with friends (64,5%), with a partner (25,8%); Cannabis-type NPS mostly at home (34,70%), typically with friends (79,2%); LSD-type NPS use has been reported in nature (10,50%), as well as at parties (34,20%), generally with friends (78,9%) or alone (10,5%).

Exploring the reasons of use, most reported their sympathy towards the drug rather than other reasons. For LSD-type NPS, 92,1% said they liked the drug. Other important reasons were affordability (18,4%), easy access (15,8%), difficulty to say no (13,2%). Cannabis and MDMA-type NPS too have similar structure of reasons of use.

Discussion
This is the first research attempt understanding the patterns of NPS use in Georgia. Cannabis, MDMA and LSD types of NPS were the substances most often used. The findings open up an interesting discussion on possible type-specific harm reduction strategies that can be applied in different contexts. The study suggests clubs and home settings are interesting areas for future interventions. The role of peers (using with friends) shall be explored while designing HR strategies, suitable for NPS users.