Drugs A natural or synthetic substance used to produce physiological effects in humans or other animals.

Drug Dependence-1 Exists in numerous patterns depending on: Nature of the drug, Route and frequency of administration Dose An individuals rate of metabolism. Non drug factors include: Personal characteristics of the user His or her expectations Societies attitudes and possible responses Setting where drug is used.

Drug Dependance-2 Psychological Dependence Continued use of a drug caused by underlying emotional needs. No precise way to measure the level of psychological dependence a drug will have on an individual. Intensity of dependence depends on the nature of the drug. Drugs resulting in high degree of involvement: Alcohol Heroin Amphetamines Barbiturates Cocaine Some drugs with lower degrees include marijuana and codeine.

Drug Dependance-3 Physical Dependence Once certain drugs are taken in sufficient doses and frequency, physiological changes can result in continued use. Once the drugs are abstained from withdrawal occurs causing the individual to become very sick. See Table 5-1 Interestingly, some more widely abused drugs have little or no potential for creating physical dependence. Marijuana, cocaine, and LSD create strong anxieties when repeated use is discontinued; however, no medical evidence attributes these discomforts to physiological reactions.

Drug Dependence-4 Societal Aspects of Drug Use Social impact of drug dependence is directly related to the extent in which the drug has become interwoven into a person’s life. Personal health, economic relationships, and family obligations may all suffer.

Types of Drugs-1 Narcotics A drug that increases sleep and depresses vital body functions such as blood pressure, pulse rate and breathing. Opiates-derived from Papaver somniferium (the Asian poppy) Ex: Heroin relieves pain by depressing the central nervous system Synthetic Opiates- drugs that are not naturally derived from opium. Ex: Methadone can be used to reduce a persons desire for heroin.

Types of Drugs-2 Hallucinogens A substance that induces changes in normal thought processes, perceptions, and moods Ex: Marijuana aka Cannabis sativa contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). See “Closer Analysis” pg 159 Ex: LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) and PCP (phencyclidine)

Types of Drugs-3 Depressants Drugs that slow down the functions of the central nervous system. Ex: Alcohol is overlooked as a drug quite often. Ex: Barbiturates are often taken orally and relax the user Ex: Antianxiety Drugs create a relaxing tranquility w/o impairing high thinking faculties or inducing sleep as opposed to barbiturates. Ex: Huffing/sniffing materials containing volatile solvents Huffing airplane glue or model cement.

Types of Drugs-4 Stimulants Speeds up the central nervous system Ex: Amphetamines are taken orally and commonly know as uppers or speed. Ex: Cocaine is extracted from leaves of Erythroxylon coca plant which is grown in the Andes mountains and is usually sniffed or snorted

Types of Drugs-5 Club Drugs Synthetic drugs that are often used at night clubs etc. Ex: MDMA aka “Ecstasy” Ex: gamma hydroxybutyrate aka “GHB” Ex: Rohypnol aka “Roofies” Ex: Ketamine Ex: Methamphetamine

Types of Drugs-6 Anabolic Steroids Synthetic compounds chemically related to the male sex hormone testosterone that are used to promote muscle growth. Testosterone has 2 effects: Build muscle and promote growth of male secondary sex characteristics Mainly abused by people who are interested in accelerating muscle growth. A steroid w/o harmful side effects of the androgen drug has NOT been developed.

Drug-Control Laws Federal law establishes schedules of classification for controlled dangerous substances on the basis of a drugs potential for abuse, potential for physical and psychological dependence and medical value. See Controlled Substances Act Pg 169

Forensic Drug Analysis-1 Screening and Confirmation Used to determine the identity of drugs present in a sample. These tests reduce the number of possible drugs to a small and manageable number. Accomplished by subjecting the substance to color tests.

Forensic Drug Analysis-2 Color Tests Many drugs yield characteristic colors when brought into contact with specific chemical reagents. There are 5 primary color test reagents: Marquis: turns purple in presence of heroin, morphine and most opium derivatives. Becomes orange when mixed with amphetamines and methamphetamines

Forensic Drug Analysis-3 Color Tests cont. Dillie-Koppanyi: screens for barbiturates and turns violet blue in the presence of. Duquenois-Levine: color test for marijuana and turns purple when chloroform is added. Van Urk: turns blue-purple in the presence of LSD. Difficult to do in field conditions. Scott Test: in the presence of cocaine a cobalt thiocyanate solution turns blue. Adding HCl turns the solution a clear pink, then after adding chloroform the solution turns blue again.

Forensic Drug Analysis-4 Microcrystalline Tests A drop of chemical reagent is added to a small quantity of drug on a microscope slide and will produce crystals highly characteristic of a drug.

Forensic Drug Analysis-5 Chromatography 2 Types used in drug analysis: TLC (thin layer chromatography): components of a suspect mixture travel up a glass plate making a series of dark and colored spots. This is compared to a standard sample The plate is prepared by with a silica gel that is held to plate by plaster of paris. A liquid sample is added to the plate. The plate is then placed in a chamber with a selected liquid. That liquid will move up the plate and the components of the sample are separated. See pg 179 Fig 5-16

Forensic Drug Analysis-6 Chromatography cont. GC (gas chromatography): separates mixtures based on distribution b/w a stationary liquid phase and a moving gas phase. Widely used b/c of its ability to resolve a complex mixture in minutes. TLC and GC animations Click on ch “5” (at top of screen) and click on “web extras” on left hand side of screen.

Forensic Drug Analysis-7 Spectrophotometry Method used to identify a substance based on the wavelength of light is will absorb. 2 Types used in forensic drug analysis: Ultraviolet/Visible (UV) Spectrophotometry: Does not provide difinitive results but used in establishing probable drug identity. Infrared (IR) Spectrophotometry: Provides more complex pattern than UV b/c different materials have distinctively different infrared spectra, each IR spectrum is equivalent to a “fingerprint” of that substance How spectrophotometry works

Forensic Drug Analysis-8 Mass Spectrophotometry Characterizes organic molecules by observing their fragmentation pattern after their collision with a beam of high energy electrons Note: IR and mass spectrophotometry are typically used to specifically identify a drug substance

Collection and Preservation of Drug Evidence Ensure substance is properly packaged and well labeled for delivery to the lab. Background info should be included. Package must prevent loss and contamination. Usually original packaging of the drug will suffice for packaging. Volatile substances must be packaged in air tight containers Background info reduces the analyst amount of time to determine what substance is by a large margin.