Spice,” “Kryptonite,” “Black Mamba”

An Overview of Brand Names and Marketing Strategies of Novel Psychoactive Substances on the Web

Bibliographic Data

ID14676001
AuthorsOrnella Corazza (0000-0001-7371-319X, University of Hertfordshire, corresponding author), Giuseppe Valeriani (0000-0002-5829-7682, Sapienza University of Rome), Francesco Saverio Bersani (0000-0002-7555-8020, Sapienza University of Rome), John Corkery (0000-0002-3849-817X, University of Hertfordshire), Giovanni Martinotti (0000-0002-7292-2341, University of Chieti-Pescara), Giuseppe Bersani (0000-0002-4571-3261, Sapienza University of Rome), Fabrizio Schifano (0000-0002-4178-5401, University of Hertfordshire)
Year2014
Volume46
Issue4
Pages287-294
Publication date2014-08-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Psychoactive Drugs (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0279-1072 • E-ISSN: 2159-9777
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/02791072.2014.944291
PMID25188698
OpenAlexW2045090248
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited43

UNLABELLED: Abstract Introduction: Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPSs) are often sold online as "legal" and "safer" alternatives to International Controlled Drugs (ICDs) with captivating marketing strategies. Our aim was to review and summarize such strategies in terms of the appearance of the products, the brand names, and the latest trends in the illicit online marketplaces. METHODS: Scientific data were searched in PsychInfo and Pubmed databases; results were integrated with an extensive monitoring of Internet (websites, online shops, chat rooms, fora, social networks) and media sources in nine languages (English, French, Farsi, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, and Chinese simplified/traditional) available from secure databases of the Global Public Health Intelligence Network. RESULTS: Evolving strategies for the online diffusion and the retail of NPSs have been identified, including discounts and periodic offers on chosen products. Advertisements and new brand names have been designed to attract customers, especially young people. An increased number of retailers have been recorded as well as new Web platforms and privacy systems. DISCUSSION: NPSs represent an unprecedented challenge in the field of public health with social, cultural, legal, and political implications. Web monitoring activities are essential for mapping the diffusion of NPSs and for supporting innovative Web-based prevention programmes

Advertising · Arabic · Business · Internet privacy · Online advertising · Portuguese · Public health · Social marketing · Social media · The Internet · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · Medicine · Pharmaceutical Quality and Counterfeiting · Marketing

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access