Drug Section; Forensics

Drug definition

Any natural or synthetic substance that alters physiological or psychological functions.

Physiological effects

Measurable changes in body function (e.g., slowed breathing from opioids).

Psychological effects

Changes in mood, perception, or behavior (e.g., hallucinations from LSD).

Leading cause of death under 45

Drug overdoses.

Crime lab evidence

~75% of evidence analyzed is drug-related.

Narcotics/Opioids

Pain relief, drowsiness; examples: heroin, morphine.

Hallucinogens

Alter perception; examples: LSD, PCP.

Depressants

Slow CNS; examples: alcohol, barbiturates.

Stimulants

Increase alertness; examples: cocaine, methamphetamine.

Cannabis

Mild hallucinogen/depressant; example: marijuana.

Anabolic steroids

Promote muscle growth; example: testosterone derivatives.

Qualitative testing

Identifies what substance is present.

Quantitative testing

Measures how much of the substance is present.

Screening tests

Quick, presumptive; examples: immunoassay urine tests, toxicology screens.

Confirmation tests

Definitive, specific; examples: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Liquid Chromatography-MS/MS.

Gold Standard

GC-MS, often paired with LC-MS/MS; multi-step needed to avoid false positives.

Packaging evidence

Prevent contamination/leakage; powders in sealed packets, syringes in sharps containers.

After seizure

Drugs destroyed after analysis; money/assets go through asset forfeiture, often funding law enforcement or prevention programs.

Psychological dependence

Emotional/cognitive reliance (e.g., needing cocaine to socialize); primary motive because cravings drive continued use.

Physical dependence

Body adapts; withdrawal sickness (e.g., tremors, vomiting from opioids) caused by sudden absence; secondary motive.

CSA purpose

Unified framework to regulate drugs with abuse potential.

Schedule I

High abuse, no medical use (heroin, LSD).

DEA creation

1973, to consolidate drug enforcement under one agency.

Prohibition intent vs. reality

Intended to reduce alcohol use; instead fueled black markets, crime, and corruption.

War on Drugs

Began 1971 under Nixon; public purpose was safety and reducing abuse, but effectiveness questioned—led to mass incarceration, inequities, high costs.

Opioid epidemic

Started mid-1990s with prescription opioids; now driven by fentanyl, ~80,000 deaths annually.

Anti-Drug Abuse Act 1986

100:1 sentencing disparity crack vs. powder cocaine; disproportionately impacted Black communities.

Nixon's ulterior motive

Targeted anti-war protestors and Black communities.

Recent reform shifts

More focus on harm reduction, decriminalization, cannabis rescheduling.

Harm Reduction strategies

Needle exchanges, naloxone distribution, safe injection sites, medication-assisted treatment.

DEA marijuana rescheduling

Considering moving cannabis to Schedule III; would allow medical use and research, but not full legalization.

Decriminalization vs. Legalization

Decriminalization → removes criminal penalties, civil fines remain; Legalization → fully legal, regulated.

Portugal

Decriminalized all drugs in 2001; reduced HIV, overdoses, incarceration.

Oregon

Decriminalized in 2020 (Measure 110); mixed results, later partially reversed in 2024 due to overdose/public use concerns.

Billy is concerned about not being strong enough for next month's bodybuilding contest. His training partner, Roy, offers him some "juice" to help him bulk up in time.

Anabolic Steroids, accelerate muscle growth or bulk him up for his next month's bodybuilding contest.

Paul survived a severe car accident three months ago, and now his doctor is ready to end his OxyContin prescription. Paul feels terrible without it and has sought something similar on the streets.

Narcotics or Opiates, because it is (in this context, OxyContin) often used to treat pain, but can cause the patient to become addicted to them.

Zach had been experimenting with drugs like cocaine for a while and was seeking something stronger. His dealer offered him a substance that made Zach feel hyper and provided a longer-lasting rush than he had experienced before. However, when the effects wore off, he found himself sleeping for days

Stimulants. Seems to have experienced are similar to the effects of Ice, which also has the initial long-lasting "rush" feeling, but when the effects wear off, it can cause sleep for days.

Sam had some leftover glue after crafting his model airplane and decided to take a big whiff. He immediately felt great, but when his sister came into his room to ask him a question, he found it difficult to talk to her.

Depressants"Huffing," which is where substances are 'sniffed' and have the immediate effects of exhilaration but cause slurred speech.

Indsey and Taylor met two attractive strangers at the club on Saturday night, who offered to buy them drinks. The drinks tasted fine, but shortly after consuming them, the ladies felt tired and dizzy

Club Drugs known as "Roofies." A drug that is regularly slipped into a drink, which is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. This would explain why they felt tired and dizzy after consuming the drinks.