NPS Discovery Q2 2025 TREND REPORTS: NPS Benzodiazepines, NPS Opioids, NPS Stimulants & Hallucinogens, and Synthetic Cannabinoids in the U.S.

• NCJ Number: 310575
• Author(s): A.J. Krotulski; S.E. Walton; J.S. Debord; A.L.A Mohr; B.K. Logan
• Date Published: 2025
• Length: 5 pages
• Grant Number(s): 15PNIJ-24-GK-00981-COAP
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Award: Novel Psychoactive Substance Discovery, Education, and Reporting Institute

Abstract

This report provides up-to-date information regarding the status of NPS benzodiazepine prevalence and positivity in the United States. 

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS), including NPS benzodiazepines, continue to pose great challenges for forensic scientists, clinicians, and public health and safety personnel. NPS benzodiazepines have been implicated in an increasing number of adverse health events, marked by emergency room admissions and death investigations, especially when ingested in combination with opioids. Maintaining a current scope of analysis can be challenging, requiring comprehensive analytical methodologies and reference materials for identification(s). (Publisher abstract provided.)