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QFocus

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Bellringer

What are drugs?

http://elitedaily.com/envision/artist-creates-self-portraits-on-different-drugs-and-the-results-are-insane-photos/

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Introduction Introduction

Forensic toxicology helps determine (a) the cause-and-effect relationships between exposure to a drug or other substance and (b) the toxic or lethal effects from that exposure.

People can be exposed to toxic substances: intentionally—by treating illness or relieving pain accidentally—by harmful combinations or overdoses deliberately—by harming or killing others or by

committing suicide

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Drugs, Poisons, Toxins

Drug - anything that affects your mind or body

Poison - substance that can cause severe harm or death

Toxin - a poison produced by plants, animals, or bacteria that can be lethal to humans

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Poison—Murder, Accidental Overdoses,

and Drug Offences

Less than 0.5% of all homicides results from poisoning.

Accidental drug overdoses are more common.

More than 50% of the federal prison population and about 20% of the population in state prisons consist of drug offenders.

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5 types of controlled substances

Controlled substances cannot be bought over the counter Either illegal or need a prescription

Hallucinogens Narcotics Stimulants Anabolic Steroids Depressants

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Hallucinogens

The effect and intensity of response to these drugs varies from person to person.

Often derived from plants, hallucinogens affect the user’s perceptions, thinking, self-awareness, and emotions.

Affects of an overdose include an increased heart rate, often increased blood pressure, and sometimes panic attacks, anxiety, or psychosis.

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Hallucinogens

Examples:PCPMushroomsLSDMDMA (Ecstasy)Peyote (Mescaline)Marijuana

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Drug Characteristics of Drug Overdose

MDMA (Ecstasy)Increased heart rate and blood pressure, muscle cramps, panic attacks, seizures, loss of consciousness, stroke, kidney failure, death

Peyote (Mescaline)Hallucinations, euphoria, dizziness, vomiting, increased heart rate, dilated pupils, diarrhea, headaches, anxiety, irrationality of thoughts

LSDDilated pupils, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, increase in body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, dry mouth, tremors, confusion, distoriton of reality, and hallucinations

PCPIncreased heart rate and blood pressure, convulsions, sweating, dizziness, numbness, and possible death from heart failure. Drowsiness which can lead to accidents. Users sometimes exhibit psychosis (losing touch with reality) that can last for weeks

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Narcotics Narcotics reduce pain by suppressing the nervous

system’s to send pain messages to the brain Very addictive and habit forming

Examples: Opium Morphine Heroine Codeine Methadone Oxycodone Vicodin

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Narcotics

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Stimulants Stimulants increase feelings of energy and

alertness while suppressing appetite. As the drug wears off, however, depression often

results. Stimulants tend to be highly addictive.

Examples: Amphetamines Cocaine Crack Methamphetamines

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StimulantsDrug Characteristics of

drug overdose

Amphetamines (speed)

High blood pressure, rapid heart rate, agitation, irregular heartbeats, stroke, seizures, coma, death

Cocaine or CrackDangerous rise in body temperature, sweating, tremors, seizures, irregular heartbeats, stroke, confusion, heart attack, bleeding in the brain, death

MethamphetaminesDangerous rise in body temperature, profuse sweating, confusion, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, dilated pupils, high blood pressure, kidney failure, bleeding in the brain, death

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Bellringer

What is a controlled substance?

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A drug that is controlled through prescriptions or being illegal.

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Anabolic Steroids These drugs are produced in a lab and have a chemical structure

similar to testosterone. Anabolic steroids promote cell and tissue growth increasing bone

mass and body muscle. Because of this they are popular with weightlifters, bodybuilders, and

other athletes. Negative side effects

Acne Increased hair High blood pressure and cholesterol Blood clotting Decreased fertility in males Kidney and liver cancer Heart attacks

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Anabolic Steroids

Examples:TestosteroneHuman Growth Hormone (HGH)Reproductive Hormones

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Depressants

Depressants act on the central nervous system and increase the activity of a neurotransmitter called GABA.

Increased GABA production results in drowsiness and slowed brain activity.

These drugs relieve anxiety and produce sleep. Mixing depressants with alcohol and other

drugs increases their effects and health risks, possibly leading to coma and death.

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Depressants

Examples:BenzodiazepinesBarbituatesAlcoholHydrocodone

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Length in the system

Amphetamines - 1-2 days

Anabolic steroids - oral- up to 3 weeks; injected- up to 3-6 months and more

Barbituates - 2-3 days

Benzodiazepines - 2-3 days

Cocaine - 1-2 days

Codeine - 1-2 days 

Heroin - 1-2 days

Inhalants, just a few hours

MDMA - 1-5 days

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Length in the systemLSD - a few hours or up to 5 days

Marijuana - 2-5 days (the daily, heavy user can sometimes be detected up to 30+ days)

MDMA - 1-5 days

Methadone, 1-7 days

Methamphetamines - 2-4 days

Nicotine - 1-2 days

Opiates - 1-2 days

Oxycodone - 1-2 days

PCP - 1-8 days

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Length in the system

Most drugs can be detected up to 90 days after use by testing a hair

Alcohol is not detectable by the hair

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QuickTime™ and a decompressor

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Heroine addict

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Heroine addict

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25 year heroine addict

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Meth lab

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Methamphetamine (crystal meth)

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Result of meth use

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Controlled Substances—Alcohols

Methanol - toxic to humans Converted to formaldehyde by the liver

Ethanol - Grain alcohol (beverages) Produced by fermentation of sugars

Converted to acetaldehyde, then acetic acid

Chronic alcohol use can lead to liver damage and depression of the nervous system

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Controlled Substances—Bacterial Toxins

Tetanus Lockjaw, as it is sometimes called, is produced by the

Clostridium tetani bacteria. Its poison can cause violent muscle spasms.

Botulism Produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum,

botulism paralyzes muscles. It causes irreversible damage to nerve endings. Very small amounts are extremely deadly. Botulism is the most poisonous biological substance.

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Controlled Substances—Pesticides and Heavy Metals Pesticides mostly are used to protect plants or food crops. Metal compounds are very poisonous.

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Controlled Substances—Pesticides and Heavy Metals Metal compounds can damage many organs in the body.

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Controlled Substances—Bioterrorism Agents

Ricin is a poisonous protein in the castor bean. is lethal in extremely small amounts. can enter the body in various ways:

inhaled as a mist or a powder. ingested as food or drink. injected into the body.

can cause death within a few hours.

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Controlled Substances—Bioterrorism Agents

Anthrax is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis, which

forms spores. can be spread to humans from infected animals. can enter the human body through:

inhalation; causing breathing problems that usually result in death.

ingestion; becoming fatal in 25% to 60% of cases. absorption via the skin; leading to death in about

20% of untreated cases.