What are designer drugs?

• A. Chemically modified versions of illegal drugs
• B. Natural plant derivatives of illegal drugs
• C. Legal substitutes for illegal drugs
• D. Over-the-counter vitamins

Answer: (A)

Designer drugs are chemically modified versions of illegal drugs created to mimic their effects while trying to dodge drug laws. By altering the molecular structure, new analogs can be made that aren’t immediately covered by existing regulations, so they may appear marketed as legal or unregulated substances. This tweaking often means these drugs can have unpredictable potency and safety profiles, since they’re not subjected to the same testing and quality controls as approved medicines. Examples include synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones. They aren’t natural plant derivatives, nor are they simply legal substitutes guaranteed to be safe or approved, and they aren’t over-the-counter vitamins.