Chapter 12: Illicit Drugs & Poisons

What is an Illicit drug?

Made or obtained illegally

What are the drug classifications?

1. Historical: Plant-based vs. mineral-based

2. Chemical: Organic vs. inorganic

3. Physical form: Solid, liquid, gas

4. Use: redator drugs, club drugs, etc.

What are alkaloids?

Plant-based drugs EX: Nicotine, Morphine, Cocaine

What are predator drugs?

Used to incapacitate victims

What are club drugs?

Used at parties (MDMA, LSD)

What are performance enhancing drugs?

Steroids, stimulants

What are Inhalants?

Volatile substances inhaled for effects

What are Analgesics?

Pain relievers

What is malem prohibitum?

"Wrong by law"

What year was the controlled substances act passed?

1970

Scheduled substances were based on what?

1. Risk to public

2. Medical Utility

3. Abuse potiental

4. Scientific knowledge

Drug schedules (I)

No medical use, high abuse potential (heroin)

Drug schedules (II)

Limited medical use, high abuse(cocaine, fentanyl)

Drug schedules (III)

Accepted medical use, moderate abuse (ketamine)

Drug schedules (IV)

Accepted medical use, lower abuse (Ambien)

Drug schedules (V)

Lowest potential for abuse (codeine preparations)

Opiates and Opiods

1. Cause euphoria and pain relief

2. Act as depressants

3. Can cause respiratory depression and death

Amphetamines (stimulants)

Elevate heart rate, blood pressure

Methamphetamine easily synthesized in clandestine labs T OR F

True, meth is easily synthesized

Cocaine

Natural product from coca leaf (widely used in 20th century medicine)

The regular use of narcotics will result in physical dependance T OR F

True, the use of regular narcotics will result in physical dependance

What is the most common source for narcotic drugs?

Opium (extracted from poppies i.e plant)

What are cannibinoids?

Marijuana from Cannabis sativa plant (THC is the primary active agent)

What are Novel Psychoactive Substances?

Designed to mimic illegal drugs while avoiding legal controls EX: Bath salts

What are cutting agents?

Dilute drugs to stretch supply

What are adulterants?

Pharmacologically active additives

What are counterfeits?

Fake versions of legitimate products and brand-name pharmacotics

What does drug profiling examine?

1. Precursors and extraction

2. Synthesis by-products

3. Cutting agents

4. Storage and environmental factors

What are presumptive tests?

color changes, microcrystal tests

What are confirmatory tests?

GC-MS, IR spectroscopy

Quantitative analysis…

Determines the purity

What are some common drugs that are abused?

1. Hallucinogens

2. Narcotics

3. Depressants

4. Stimulants