Whole class ban on substances is needed to control designer drugs, says UN agency

National governments need to adopt generic bans to control entire groups of substances that can be used to make designer drugs, a United Nations report has said.

According to the 2010 annual report of the International Narcotics Control Board, designer drugs are being produced faster and in growing numbers than ever before and are easily available over the internet. Designer drugs imitate the effects of ecstasy, amphetamines, and cocaine.

Since they appeared in 2007 seizures of designer drugs have been reported in Europe, North America, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. …