1. Chapter 9 -- Drugs
Drug: a substance that is used to produce physiological or psychological effects.
Drug abuse – a brief history
In the 1960s, the main drugs were marijuana, LSD, and barbituates
The big drug of the 1970s was heroin
Today it’s cocaine
75% of the evidence evaluated in crime labs is drug related.

2. Drug Dependence: depends on many factors, such as:
Nature of the drug
How it’s taken and how frequently
The dose
the individual’s rate of
metabolism
The individual’s life
circumstances

3. Psychological dependence: caused by emotional needs
Psychological dependence: caused by emotional needs. People want to create a sense of well-being and escape from reality.
Physical dependence: a physiological need for a drug brought on by its’ regular use.
Physical illness occurs if the user abstains from the drug (withdrawal sickness)
Narcotics, Depressants, and nicotine cause high levels of physical dependence.

4. Classes of Drugs:
1. Narcotics – they are analgesics (pain relievers that depress the central nervous system).
They all lead to physical dependence
Most are derived from opium (from the poppy plant)
Includes morphine, heroin, methadone, codeine, OxyContin

5. Chemical structures of narcotics
OxyContin
methadone methadone

6. 2. Hallucinogens – drugs that induce changes in mood, attitude, thought, or perception
Do not cause physical dependence
Vary in the amount of psychological dependence they cause
Includes marijuana, LSD, PCP, MDMA (Ecstasy)

7. LSD
Ecstasy

8. 3. Depressants – drugs that depress the functions of the central nervous system. They decrease anxiety and may induce sleep.
They all cause physical dependence
Their psychological dependence ranges from low to high
Includes alcohol, barbiturates (downers), tranquilizers (i.e. Valium), and “glue sniffing”

9. Ethanol
Toluene

10. 4. Stimulants – substances taken to increase alertness or activity
Some cause physical dependence, some don’t
They cause psychological dependence
Includes amphetamines (uppers, speed), cocaine, caffeine, nicotine
They stimulate the central nervous system

12. Club Drugs - synthetic drugs used at nightclubs, bars, and raves
Common ones are Ecstasy, GHB, Roofies, ketamine (an animal anesthetic), and methamphetamine
They have been implicated in some sexual assault cases. They cause an inability to remember what happened after ingesting the drug, and an inability to resist an attack.
Many are odorless, colorless, and tasteless, so they are undetected when slipped into a drink

13. Anabolic Steroids – synthetic compounds chemically related to testosterone.
Testosterone promotes the development of secondary sex characteristics in males, and accelerates muscle growth.
Manufacturers of anabolic steroids try to promote the muscle growth and minimize the other effects.
Steroid use can lead to liver disease, infertility, and in teenagers, premature halting of bone growth.
Acts of anger, aggression, and depression are common side effects

15. Drug-Control Laws – the main federal one is the Controlled Substances Act. It classifies drugs into 5 “schedules” based on the potential for abuse, dependence, and medicinal value
Ex. Schedule 1 – high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use. Includes heroin, marijuana (this may change), methaqualone, and LSD
1st offense gets you up to 20 years in prison and up to $1,000,000 in fines.
removal of marijuana from schedule 1
Ex. Schedule 5 – low potential for abuse, accepted medical use, not much dependence. Includes drugs like codeine in cough syrup.
1st offense gets you up to 1 year in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.

16. The Controlled Substances Act also regulates the manufacture and distribution of the precursors of drugs (chemicals that can be used by secret drug labs to synthesize drugs of abuse).

17. Drug Identification – commonly used tests used to identify an unknown substance are:
Color Tests – many drugs turn specific colors when they come into contact with specific chemical reagents. These tests are done for screening purposes; they do not conclusively identify a drug.

18. 2. Microcrystalline Tests – specific drugs can be identified by the color and shape of the crystals formed when the drug is mixed with specific reagents
Designer drug BZP

19. 3. Chromatography – TLC and gas chromatography are most often used for drug identification. Usually used along with color and microcrystalline tests.
4. Spectrophotometry – drugs absorb light in the UV and IR regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
5. Mass Spectrometry – used in combination with chromatography. Provides for very specific identification.