DRUGS (outside you) vs. TOXICOLOGY (inside you)

Importance to Forensic Science 75% of evidence being examined in forensic laboratories is drug-related. Evidence from a drug bust in Hawaii,

Costs To Society $110 billion/year Drug-related violence and crime –75% of males arrested in NY tested positive for drugs

Costs To Families Violence and abuse –1/4 -1/2 domestic violence is drug related –81% of child abuse or neglect is drug related 3.2% of pregnant women use drug regularly

Costs to the Body Meth as an example

Faces of Meth To the individual Multnahoma Sheriff’s Office thResources/faces/index.html Costs

What is a “drug” Natural or synthetic Affect psychology or physiology Most produced legitimately for R x If taken just for pleasure = “illicit drug” or “drugs of abuse” If taken in excess causing illness or death = poison

Drugs that are restricted by law = “Controlled Substances”  Controlled Substances Act of 1970  Lists illegal drugs, their category and their penalty for possession, sale or use. Five categories of controlled drugs

Controlled Substances Categories  Schedule I— high potential for abuse; no currently acceptable medical use in the US; a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision  Schedule II— high potential for abuse; a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions; abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence  Schedule III— lower potential for abuse than the drugs in I or II; a currently accepted medical use in the US; abuse may lead to moderate physical dependence or high psychological dependence  Schedule IV— low potential for abuse relative to drugs in III; a currently accepted medical use in the US; abuse may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to drugs in III  Schedule V— low potential for abuse relative to drugs in IV; currently accepted medical use in the US; abuse may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to drugs in IV

Controlled Substances Examples  Schedule I — Heroin White Off-White Brown

Controlled Substances Examples  Schedule I - LSD

Controlled Substances Examples  Schedule I - marijuana

Controlled Substances Examples  Schedule II—cocaine Cocaine in powder form Crack cocaine Cocoa leaves Crack and powder

Controlled Substances Examples  Schedule II - morphine Various Forms

Controlled Substances Examples  Schedule II - amphetamines (including methamphetamines) Amphetamines Methamphetamines

Controlled Substances Examples  Schedule II - PCP

Controlled Substances Examples  Schedule II - Ritalin

Controlled Substances Examples  Schedule III—intermediate acting barbiturates

Controlled Substances Examples  Schedule III - anabolic steroids

Controlled Substances Examples  Schedule III - ketamine

Controlled Substances Examples  Schedule IV—other stimulants and depressants including Valium, Xanan, Librium

Controlled Substances Examples  Schedule IV - phenobarbital

Controlled Substances Examples  Schedule IV - Darvon

Controlled Substances Examples  Schedule V—codeine found in low doses in cough medicines Cough syrup with DMX DXM is a synthetically produced substance that is chemically related to codeine, though it is not an opiate.

Classification - based on pharmacological effects Hallucinogens Mostly naturally occurring Marijuana most widely used – decreases ability to concentrate, slows reactions, impairs coordination.

Classification - based on pharmacological effects Hallucinogens LSD – from fungus Ergot- extremely dangerous. Causes psychosis, falshbacks, impaired memory & attention span. Possible teratogen.

Classification - based on pharmacological effects Hallucinogens MDMA – Or “ectasy” (methylenedioxymethamp hetamine) is synthetic. Causes stimulation and hallucinations, confusion, depression, addiction, severe anxiety, paranoia – sometimes even weeks after taking. Long term brain damage.

Classification - based on pharmacological effects Hallucinogens Ketamine - (“Special K”) – legitimately used as an animal tranquilizer. A powerful hullucinogen. Causes delerum, amnisia, depression, and long- term memory difficulties.

Classification - based on pharmacological effects Stimulants Act on CNS and increases energy level while decreasing appetite and fatigue. Problems: increases anxiety, restlessness, and causes depression after it wears off. Caffeine to amphetamines and methamphetamines. Coacine – from leaf of cocoa plant. Used to be snorted as powder, now recrystalized “crack”. Highly addictive, causes anxiety, insomnia, weight loss, paranoia, mental deterioration.

Classification - based on pharmacological effects Narcotics  Analgesics (pain relievers)  Legal OTCs like aspirin  Illegal ones come from opium from poppy flower  4-21% morphine from which heroin is made  highly addictive. Overdoses cause death

Classification - based on pharmacological effects Depressants  Alcohol  $40 billion industry in USA  Not a controlled substance  Barbiturates (“downers”)  Highly addictive  Withdrawal is dangerous  Small dose R x used to reduce anxiety and help sleep Quaaludes

More Pretty Meth Pictures

Drug Analysis Microscopic crystaline structure Spot Tests (use chemical indicators = presumptive precipitation test OR presumptive color test) TLC (Thin layer chromatography) Spectroscopy (tell by light wave absorbance) Liquid chromatography (send liquid thorough a solid phase and see what comes out first, second, etc.) Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (separate in gaseous phase, then identify by mass)

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