Drugs CHS

Definition A drug can be defined as a natural or synthetic substance that is used to produce physiological or psychological effect in the human or other animals.

Definition cont. Withdrawal syndrome- are the signs and symptoms, including painful physiological and psychological effects, that occur with the abstinence after chronic use of a drug. Ex. Of drugs that cause withdrawal: opiates, barbiturates, antianxiety agents, ethanol, and nonbarbiturate sedatives

Definitions cont. Dependence alterations in physiologic or psychological states that occur with chronic drug use. Psychological dependence is an emotional and mental preoccupation with drug acquisition and use to receive some positive reinforcement Physical dependence is an altered physiologic condition caused by chronic exposure to a drug. It results in physiologic signs and symptoms when the drug is withdrawn abruptly.

Drug abuse In contemporary society, the term drug abuse is the nonmedical use of drugs to alter one's mental state. Individuals self-administer both prescription and illicit drugs in attempts to alter mood, to alter perception of reality, to experience unique sensations, and/or to improve physical or mental capabilities.

Drug abuse In general, society establishes what constitutes drug abuse by its laws & social taboos. Consequently, a particular drug- taking behavior in one society or in a particular situation may be considered drug abuse, whereas in another it may be considered appropriate.

Ancient history of drugs Alexander the great gave opium to his troops during the Indian campaign Scientists found tobacco & cocoa to be present in ancient Egypt mummies. Tobacco Coca Leaf

The history of Opium Opium was cultivated in Mesopotamia 3400BC Friedrich Wilhelm Sertürner was the first to isolate Morphine in It became a miracle drug during the American Civil War. Why? After the war it became an epidemic

Modern History of Illegal drugs Each individual State had the jurisdiction and control over what drugs were illegal. San Francisco was the first to make a drug illegal in 1876

America passed laws to get rid of immigrants. The most effective were those that attacked their recreational activities. Harrison Narcotics act of 1914 gave the government control over drug regulation Marijuana Tax Act 1937 – Was enacted to clear up the job market during the recession. History cont.

Who regulates drugs? The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.

Federal Law established 5 schedules of classification of controlled substances based on – Drug’s potential for abuse – Potential to physical and psychological dependence – Medical Value Federal law also controls materials that are used in making drugs and those that are manufactured to resemble drugs

Drug Schedules Schedule I: – Drugs with high potential for abuse and addiction, NO medical value Ex: Heroin, LSD, Ecstasy, Marijuana Schedule II: – Drugs with high potential for abuse and addiction, have some medical value with restrictions Ex: PCP, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Most Opiates (Ritalin, Oxycontin)

Drug Schedules Schedule III: – Drugs with less potential for abuse and addiction, currently acceptable for medical use Ex: Some Barbiturates(Migraine), Vicodin, Steroids(Testosterone) Schedule IV: – Drugs with low potential for abuse and addiction, currently acceptable for medical use Ex: Tranquilizers like Valium, Xanax, Librium, Ambien (sleeping)

Drug Schedules Schedule V: – Drugs with low potential abuse, medical use, lowest potential dependency Ex: Some Opiates with Non- Narcotic Ingredients (Cough Syrup with Codeine)

Who enforces drug laws? Federal agencies – DEA – FBI Local agencies – Sheriff – State Police – Local Police

Five P’s of drugs Powder Pills Plant matter Paraphernalia Precursors (Ingredients)

Forensic toxicologists The science of detecting and identifying the presence of drugs and poisons in body fluids, tissues, and organs. Role of the Toxicologist Must identify one of thousands of drugs and poisons Must find nanogram to microgram quantities dissipated throughout the entire body Not always looking for exact chemicals, but metabolites of desired chemicals (ex. heroin  morphine within seconds)

Toxicology Procedures 10mL of blood in airtight container – Add anticoagulant – Add preservative 2 consecutive urine samples – Some drugs take a while to show up in urine (1-3 days) Vitreous humor Hair samples Look Away

Toxicology Procedures Screening- – quick test to narrow down possibilities – color tests, TLC, GC, immunoassay Confirmation- – determines exact identity – GC/Mass Spec

Color Tests Marquis Test: purple – Turns purple in the presence of Heroin, morphine, opium orange-brown – Turns orange-brown in presence of Amphetamines Scott Test: Three solutions – Bluepink – Blue then pink then back to blue in the presence of Cocaine Duquenois-Levine: purple – Test for marijuana –turns purple

Color Tests Van Urk Test: purple – Turns blue-purple in the presence of LSD Dillie-Koppanyi Test: violet Turns blue-violet in the presence of Barbiturates

More Analytical Tests Microcrystalline Tests: Identifies drug by using chemicals that reacts to produce characteristic crystals Chromatography: TLC, HPLC and gas – separate drugs/tentative ID Mass Spectrometry: chemical “fingerprint” no two drugs fragment the same

Why? Think of all the people that you have “heard” do drugs. US drug manufacturers produce enough barbiturates and tranquilizers each year to give every person in the US 40 pills (that’s about 12 billion pills)

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Sources /History/drug_law_timeline.htm /ancient-egyptians-use-of- intoxicants/ Clark, Wesley G. Goth's medical pharamacology. St. Louis: Mosby- Year Book, Print.