Chapter 9 - Drugs

1. Chapter 9 - Drugs Honors Forensic Science

2. I. Drug Dependence • A. Psychological Dependence • i. The conditioned use of a drug caused by underlying emotional needs

3. b. Physical dependence • i. Physiological need for a drug that has been brought about by its regular use • Ii. Characterized by withdrawal sickness when administration of drug is abruptly stopped

5. II. Narcotic Drugs • A. Narcotic = analgesic or pain-killing substance that depresses vital body functions • i. From Greek word “narkotikos” which implies a state of lethargy or sluggishness • Ii. Relieve pain or induce sleep

6. Iii. Repeated use will produce physical Dependence • Iv. Are analgesics so relieve pain by exerting a depressing action on central nervous system

7. V. Examples: morphine, codeine, heroin • Vi. Methadone = synthetic opiate which reduces desire for heroin with minimal side effects

8. III. Depressants • A. depress the central nervous system • i. Depressant = a substance used to depress the functions of the central nervous system. They calm irritability and may induce sleep.

9. b. Alcohol (Ethyl alcohol) • i. Reactions vary with user, but range from inhibited mental processes, slowed reaction times, personality changes, death, etc. • Ii. Most widely used and abused drug

10. C. Barbituates • i. Downers • Ii. They relax, create a feeling of well-being and produce sleep • Iii. Can produce physical and psychological dependence • Iv. Ex. Quaaludes – a sedative and muscle relaxer • V. Often used in medicine and usually taken as a pill

12. d. tranquilizers • i. Differ from barbituates in their action on central nervous system • Ii. They produce tranquility without impairment of high-thinking faculties or inducement of sleep

13. Iii. Can cause physical and psychological dependence • Iv. Ex. Valium

14. e. “Glue” sniffing • i. Sniffing volatile solvents • Ii. Are central nervous system depressants • Iii. Feeling of exhiliration and euphoria combined with impairment of function • Iv. Is very dangerous but not known if actually physically addictive

15. IV. stimulants • A. Stimulate central nervous system • B. Substance taken to increase alertness or activity

16. c. Different forms • i. Methamphetamine and crystal meth • 1. very prevalent today • 2. causes remarkable physical damage • 3. can be manufactured easily

17. ii. Diet drugs • 1. commonly used • 2. many are legally obtained • 3. ex. Phen-fen; dexatrim, etc • 4. some have permanent adverse effects on the body, especially the heart

18. D. Many are physically and psychologically addictive • E. Depression may set in after stimulant wears off

19. f. cocaine • i. Extracted from leaves of cocoa plant • Ii. Was once used as anesthetic • Iii. Widely used, physically and psychologically addictive

20. Iv. Generates confidence, increased alertness • V. Sigmund Freud experimented with • Vi. Crack = cocaine mixed with baking soda and water, then heated, dried, and broken into chunks and smoked

21. V. Hallucinogens • A. Drugs that cause marked alterations in normal thought processes, perceptions and moods

22. b. Marijuana • i. From the Cannibis plant • 1. secretes a sticky resin = hashish • 2. has been used legally and illegally for 3000 years • 3. grows wild – 5-15 feet tall

23. 4. chemical = THC or tetrahydrocannibinol. Amount varies among plants and within one plant. • A. Potency depends on its form • B. Highest to lowest = resin, flowers, leaves, stems, roots, and seeds • 5. May have medicinal uses such as glaucoma, lessen nausea caused by anti-cancer drugs

25. c. Other Hallucinogens • i. LSD – Lysergic acid diethylamide • 1. synthesized from lysergic acid derived from ergot which is a type of fungus that attaches to certain grasses and grains • 2. described by chemist Hoffman in 1943 after he accidentally ingested some • 3. question of whether has impact of chromosomes of offspring

26. ii. MDMA - Ecstasy • 1. originally patented as an appetite suppressant • 2. some severe adverse reactions

27. iii. PCP - Phenocyclidine • 1. synthesized • 2. often mixed with other drugs • 3. sold as angel dust • 4. variety of responses, many violent and aggressive

29. Iv. Psilocybin = mushrooms

30. VI. Anabolic Steroids • A. Synthetic compounds that promote muscle growth • B. Are chemically related to male hormone, testosterone • C. Harmful physical side effects and may affect mood and/or behavior

31. VII. Drug Control LAws • A. Controlled Substance Act • i. 5 schedules of classification based on drugs potential for abuse, potential for physical and psychological dependence, and medical value • Ii. Penalties for possession, use, sale, etc. are related to classification schedule

32. VIII. Drug Identification • A. Difficulty lies in selecting the correct analytical procedures to allow for identification’ • B. First, employ screening tests which are non-specific and preliminary in nature • C. Once the number of possibilities has been substantially reduced, the second phase of the analysis must be devoted to pin-pointing and confirming drug’s identity

33. D. Confirmation = a single test that specifically identifies a substance

34. e. Tests • i. Color tests • 1. marquis = opium derivatives; purple • 2. Dillie-Koppanyi – barbituates; violet blue • 3. Duquenois-Levine – marijuana; purple • 4. Van Urk – LSD; blue-purple • 5. Scott Test – cocaine; blue-pink to blue

35. ii. Microcystalline Tests • 1. used to identify specific substances by the color and morphology of the crystals formed when the substance is mixed with reagents

36. iii. CHromatography • 1. requires comparison between questioned and known drugs • 2. analyst must have some idea as to the identity of illicit material before using the test

37. iv. Spectrophotometry • 1. selective absoprtion of light by drugs in the ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum • 2. can specifically identify a substance

39. v. Mass spectrophotometry • 1. combines gas chromatography and mass spectrophotometer • 2. allows examiner to separate components of complex drug mixture and unequivocally identify each substance present in the mixture

40. vi. Identification of marijuana • 1. possesses botanical features • 2. cystolithic hairs on leaves • 3. color test • 4. thin layer chromatography

41. IX. Collection and Preservation of Drug Evidence • A. Evidence should be properly packaged, and labeled • B. Prevent loss of evidence and cross-contamination • C. Supply background information