New Study Reveals Widespread Use of New Psychoactive Substances in US Roadway Crashes

Strategic Insights -

A groundbreaking study published in Frontiers in Toxicology has shed light on the alarming prevalence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in US roadway crashes. The study, led by researchers from the University of California San Francisco, analyzed blood samples from 1,000 adult victims of roadway crashes in California and detected NPS in 2% of the samples. The study highlights the need for extending current tests to cover NPS, as these substances are not currently targeted by existing urine drug screens.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study detected NPS in 2% of the blood samples from 1,000 adult victims of roadway crashes in California.
  • The most frequent NPS detected were bromazolam (7 patients), para-fluorofentanyl (4 patients), and mitragynine (3 patients).
  • Users frequently mix NPS with other drugs, with 16 out of 17 patients with NPS also testing positive for at least one traditional recreational drug.
  • 273 (27%) patients tested positive for traditional recreational drugs, but not for NPS.
  • The codetection of NPS with common drugs of abuse implies either adulteration or intentional simultaneous use of multiple drug classes.
  • Synthetic opioids, which are often found as adulterants, pose a significant health risk due to their sedating effects, which can impair a user's ability to drive.
  • The study highlights the need for extending current tests to cover NPS, as these substances are not currently targeted by existing urine drug screens.

Statistics:

  • 10,903 people died in crashes where drugs were involved in the US in 2021, corresponding to 26% of all traffic deaths that year.
  • NPS were detected in 2% of the blood samples from 1,000 adult victims of roadway crashes.
  • 7 patients were found to have bromazolam in their blood.
  • 4 patients were found to have para-fluorofentanyl in their blood.
  • 3 patients were found to have mitragynine in their blood.
  • 9 patients had taken a sedative NPS together with a stimulant such as cocaine or methamphetamine.
  • 11 patients had combined NPS with traditional opioids.

Sources:

  • Gerona, R., et al. (2025). **Epidemiology of new psychoactive substance (NPS) use in drivers dying in road crashes in the United States.** Frontiers in Toxicology, (in press).
  • Gerona, R. (Personal Communication with NewsRx, July 2025)
  • News Reporter-Staff News Editor at VerticalNews Health. (2025, July 13). **Study Reveals Widespread Use of New Psychoactive Substances in US Roadway Crashes.** VerticalNews Health.