Drugs and Toxicology Chapter 9

Drugs A substance (either natural or synthetic) that is used to produce effects (either physiological or psychological) in a human Should not always have a negative connotation.

Drugs and Forensics The increasing drug problem in the US has led to ¾ of all forensic tests being drug related. Some people question whether this is a responsible use of crime lab resources.

Dependence Psychological Emotional need for a drug Emotional need for a drug Most widely used drugs are psychologically addictive Most widely used drugs are psychologically addictive Rate of addiction varies greatly among people Rate of addiction varies greatly among peoplePhysiological Physical Need Physical Need Withdrawal sickness will occur Withdrawal sickness will occur Requires regular usage to become addicted Requires regular usage to become addicted

Drug-seeking Behavior The societal impact of a drug is directly related to the extent to which the user is preoccupied with the drug. Regardless of the addiction, it is drug-seeking behavior that matters to law enforcement Certain drugs that cause little problems for society are not regulated regardless of their potential to harm the individual. Alcohol Alcohol Nicotine Nicotine Caffeine Caffeine Marijuana ????? Marijuana ?????

Narcotics Drugs that relieve pain or produce sleep Some drugs are inappropriately labeled narcotics (Like: ???) Depresses the Central Nervous System Regular use will result in physical dependence Most popular are derivatives of opium (opiates) opium (opiates)

Heroin

Oxycodone

Morphine

Hydrocodone

Narcotics Risks Euphoria is followed by nausea, drowsiness, and vomiting. Users may experience constricted pupils, watery eyes and itching. Overdoses may produce respiratory depression, clammy skin, convulsions, coma and death. Addiction in pregnant women can lead to premature, stillborn, or addicted infants who experience severe withdrawal symptoms.

Hallucinogens Changes mood, thought, or impressions

Marijuana

LSD

PCP

Shrooms

Depressants Depress CNS Calming May induce sleep

Alcohol

Barbiturates

Tranquilizers RohypnolXanaxValium

GHB

Depressant Risks Small amounts can produce calmness and relaxed muscles Moderate doses can cause slurred speech, staggering gait, and altered perception. Large doses can cause respiratory depression, coma, and death. Combination of depressants and alcohol can multiply effects of the drugs, thereby multiplying risks. Babies born to mothers who abuse depressants during pregnancy may be physically dependent on the drugs and show withdrawal symptoms shortly after birth. Birth defects and behavioral problems may also result. The use of depressants can cause both physical and psychological dependence.

Stimulants Increases alertness and activity

Nicotine

Caffeine

Ecstasy and Molly (both have hallucinogenic properties)

Cocaine

Bath Salts (Mephadrone)

Methamphetamine

Schedule 1 Drugs Heroin, Marijuana, LSD, Bath Salts First offense up to 20 years and 1 million dollars The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse. The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.

Schedule 2 Opium, Cocaine, Meth, PCP, Methadone 1 st Offense Up to 20 years and 1 million dollars Schedule II substances are those that have the following findings: The drug or other substances have a high potential for abuse The drug or other substances have currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, or currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions Abuse of the drug or other substances may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Schedule 3 Drugs Barbiturates, Codeine, Loratab, and Vicodin Up to 5 years or 250,000 Schedule III substances are those that have the following findings: The drug or other substance has a potential for abuse less than the drugs or other substances in schedules I and II. The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.

Schedule 4 Drugs Tranquilizers such as Valium, Xanax, Klonopin Up to 3 years or 250,000 "Placement on schedules; findings required Schedule IV substances are those that have the following findings: The drug or other substance has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule III The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule III

Schedule 5 Drugs Non-narcotic Drugs Schedule V substances are those that have the following findings: The drug or other substance has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule IV The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule IV.

Designer Drugs An effort to find a loop hole in the Controlled Substances Act Resulted in some pretty potent drugs like Fentanyl which is 100 times more potent than morphine