Evolution of new narcotic substances and methods of their determination

History of the appearance and evolution of synthetic narcotics in recent years is presented. The main attention is paid to two classes of narcotic substances received the widest distribution in the world, i.e., cannabimetics and synthetic cations. The main classes, problems of identification, and approaches to the determination of new narcotics are considered. Approaches and solutions used in the quantitative analysis and screening of narcotics are discussed along with some aspects of sample preparation to their determination and matrix effects. The specific features of the determination of new narcotics in commercial products and biological samples are considered separately. Present-day methods of chromatography-mass spectrometry are most informative for timely revealing new narcotic substances, studying their metabolism, and developing reliable methods for the screening of native and biological samples.