Introduction

Emerging substances—also called novel psychoactive substances (NPS) or designer drugs—represent an ever-changing challenge for public health, law enforcement, and communities. These synthetic drugs and newly discovered compounds often skirt legal regulations and have unpredictable health effects.

Why Are Emerging Substances Prevalent?

• Legal Evasion: Many new compounds are designed to bypass current drug laws and avoid detection or prosecution. Chemists can alter molecular structures just enough to sidestep regulation, fostering a near-constant influx of new substances.
• Global Supply Chain: Countries like China and India remain primary sources for chemical precursors and finished products, supplying global markets despite evolving regulatory controls.
• Adulteration and Unintentional Consumption: Consumers often encounter these substances unknowingly, as they may be mixed with other drugs for potency or cost reasons. This unpredictability can exacerbate addiction and health problems.

What Are the Risks?

• Unknown Health Effects: Many of these substances are poorly studied, meaning users (and medical professionals) frequently can’t anticipate the risks—which can include severe poisoning, acute intoxication, or fatal overdose.
• Difficulty in Detection: Because drug markets and supply compositions change rapidly, it’s a challenge for law enforcement and health officials to keep up. Efforts like the National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) in the U.S. and the EU Early Warning System help track these trends in real time.
• Social and Community Impact: The easy availability of new substances online and in markets contributes to their spread, especially among vulnerable populations.

Outlook for September 2025

• The synthetic drug landscape is in continual flux, with novel substances appearing, peaking, and sometimes fading away rapidly.
• Enforcement and monitoring efforts are expanding, but public education and timely data remain critical to mitigating health harms.
• The prevalence and dangers of emerging substances are likely to remain a headline concern for September 2025, with new compounds and mixes regularly surfacing in both local and global drug markets.