A huge number of new psychoactive substances have been marketed in the past decade, with more than 1,000 new drugs detected worldwide since 2008.

These drugs are designed and marketed to mimic the effects of traditional drugs such as cocaine, heroin and cannabis.

The new drugs are typically cheap and powerful and cause harm similar to (and sometimes more severe than) that of the drugs they mimic.

Online sites, social media and messaging apps are increasingly being used to promote and sell drugs to younger audiences accustomed to legal internet purchasing.

Despite the challenges of the online drug sales, the internet is also an opportunity to promote health messages and direct people to seek help.