Chapter 9 Drug Identification and Toxicology By the end of this chapter you will be able to: Identify the five types of controlled substances Relate signs and symptoms of overdose with a specific class of drugs or toxins Describe the role of various types of toxins in causing death Discuss agents that may be used in bioterrorism Define and describe the goals and practice of toxicology

Introduction TOXICOLOGY the study of poisons and the identification of drugs Medicinal Recreational Criminal *ingesting, inhaling, Injecting, absorbing

Toxicology

Introduction TOXICITY The degree to which a substance is poisonous or can cause injury Use (how it was taken) Duration (frequency) Nature of exposure (ingested, inhaled, injected, absorbed) Interaction (mixture with other drugs)

Introduction Forensic toxicology helps determine cause-and-effect relationships between Exposure to a drug or other substance and Toxic or lethal effects from that exposure

Introduction People can be exposed to toxic substances: intentionally— by treating illness or relieving pain accidentally— by harmful combinations or overdoses deliberately— by harming or killing others, or by suicide

Accidental Overdose John Belushi Chris Farley Steve Clark Heath Ledger Def Leppard Janis Joplin Chris Farley Jimi Hendrix Anna Nicole Smith Jim Morrison The Doors River Phoenix Whitney Houston Michael Jackson

Brief History of Drugs 399 BC - Socrates died of hemlock poisoning Arsenic poisoning “inheritance powder” 1797 – Orfila and Christison could identify arsenic in the tissue of bodies 1945 – cyanide capsules used to murder Nazi leaders Himmler and Goering 1978 – Jonestown cult members (cyanide punch killing 900 people) 1978 – Bulgarian dissident Markov died by ingesting ricin, a component of the waste product of the manufacture of castor oil from castor bean

1978 Jonestown – intentional, accidental, deliberate ???

Poison Commonly used poisons Arsenic Cyanide Strychnine Chemicals used in fertilizer Others Acute poisoning – high dose over a short period of time, such as cyanide ingestion or inhalation, immediately producing symptoms Chronic poisoning – lower doses over longer periods of time, gradual symptoms

Poison—Murder, Accidental Overdoses, and Drug Offences Poisoning causes less than ½ of 1% of all homicides (not common) Accidental drug overdoses are more common Drug offenders More than 50% of the federal prison population About 20% of the population in state prisons Arrests have increased since the early 1900’s

Controlled Substances Legal drugs whose sale, possession, and use are restricted Hallucinogens Narcotics Stimulants Anabolic steroids Depressants

Controlled Substances —Hallucinogens Often derived from plants The effect and intensity of response to these drugs varies from person to person. Affects the user’s perceptions, thinking, self-awareness, and emotions

Michael Jackson Story

Controlled Substances —Hallucinogens Affects of an overdose often include Increased heart rate Increased blood pressure Panic attacks, anxiety, or psychosis

Controlled Substances —Hallucinogens LSD – found in 1938 in a fungus that grows on grains, most potent mood changing. Odorless, colorless and tasteless. Sold in tablets, absorbent paper divided into decorative squares. PCP – pure, white, crystal powder, a tablet or capsule.

Controlled Substances —Narcotics Used to reduce pain by suppressing the central nervous system…often causes unconsciousness

Controlled Substances —Stimulants Increases feelings of energy and alertness Suppresses appetite Afterwards, depression often results Overdose affects include high blood pressure, agitation, confusion, seizures Stimulants tend to be highly addictive

Controlled Substances —Stimulants

Controlled Substances —Anabolic Steroids A chemical structure similar to testosterone Promote cell and tissue growth increasing bone mass and body muscle. Popular with weightlifters, bodybuilders, and other athletes What are some of the negative side effects?

Controlled Substances —Depressants Barbiturates and benzodiazepines Affects the central nervous system by increasing GABA activity, a neurotransmitter Increased GABA causes drowsiness and slowed brain activity Relieves anxiety and produces sleep Side effects include slurred speech and loss of coordination Mixing depressants with alcohol and other drugs increases potency and health risks

Controlled Substances —Alcohols In what way are alcohols toxic? How is grain alcohol produced? What are the classic symptoms of a hangover? What is the effect of alcohol on the central nervous system? What can chronic alcohol abuse cause?

Controlled Substances —Bacterial Toxins Tetanus (also called Lockjaw) Produced by the Clostridium tetani bacteria Causes violent muscle spasms Botulism Produced by Clostridium botulinum—botulism Paralyzes muscles Causes irreversible damage to nerve endings Extremely deadly in very small amounts Most poisonous biological substance

Toxins Organic - poisonous substances produced by living organisms. (bee sting, snake bite, plants) Alcohols – ethanol (beverages) Bacterial – EX. Botulism is the most poisonous - (Clostridium botulinum) - contaminated foods EX. Tetanus – deadly - (Clostridium tetani)

Controlled Substances —Pesticides and Heavy Metals

Controlled Substances —Pesticides and Heavy Metals

Controlled Substances —Bioterrorism Agents Ricin A poisonous protein in the castor bean Lethal in extremely small amounts Enters the body in various ways: inhaled as a mist or a powder ingested as food or drink injected into the body Causes death within a few hours

Controlled Substances—Bioterrorism Agents Anthrax Bacillus anthracis, which forms endospores Spreads to humans from infected animals Enters the human body through: Inhalation; causing breathing problems that usually result in death Ingestion; becoming fatal in 25% to 60% of cases Absorption via the skin; leading to death in about 20% of untreated cases

. . . . . . . . . Summary. . . . . . . . Forensic toxicology seeks to identify poisons or drugs in criminals and victims. Toxicology is important in studying cases of drug overdose and sporting violations.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary. . . . Controlled substances fall into five main groups: Hallucinogens Narcotic Stimulants Steroids Depressants

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary Poisons can be produced by living organisms. Pesticides and heavy metals are common poisons. Bioterrorism agents include ricin and anthrax.