BARBITURATESBARBITURATES(Select Slide Show on the PowerPoint toolbar and then select Start Slide Show From the (Select Slide Show on the PowerPoint toolbar and then select Start Slide Show From the

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BARBITURATESBARBITURATES(Select Slide Show on the PowerPoint toolbar and then select Start Slide Show From the (Select Slide Show on the PowerPoint toolbar and then select Start Slide Show From the

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““The barbiturate addict presents a The barbiturate addict presents a shocking spectacle. He cannot coordinate, shocking spectacle. He cannot coordinate, he staggers, falls off bar stools, goes to he staggers, falls off bar stools, goes to sleep in the middle of sentences, food drops sleep in the middle of sentences, food drops out of his mouth. He is confused, out of his mouth. He is confused, quarrelsome and stupid.”quarrelsome and stupid.”

-- William Burroughs-- William Burroughs

““The barbiturate addict presents a The barbiturate addict presents a shocking spectacle. He cannot coordinate, shocking spectacle. He cannot coordinate, he staggers, falls off bar stools, goes to he staggers, falls off bar stools, goes to sleep in the middle of sentences, food drops sleep in the middle of sentences, food drops out of his mouth. He is confused, out of his mouth. He is confused, quarrelsome and stupid.”quarrelsome and stupid.”

-- William Burroughs-- William Burroughs

BARBITURATES CONTENTBARBITURATES CONTENTBARBITURATES CONTENTBARBITURATES CONTENT

What Are Barbiturates?What Are Barbiturates?HistoryHistoryHow Are They Taken?How Are They Taken?Why Are They Used?Why Are They Used?

What are the Effects?What are the Effects?Physical DamagePhysical DamagePsychological DamagePsychological Damage

Use in the United StatesUse in the United StatesTesting for BarbituratesTesting for BarbituratesUseful LinksUseful Links

WHAT ARE BARBITURATES?WHAT ARE BARBITURATES?WHAT ARE BARBITURATES?WHAT ARE BARBITURATES?

Barbiturates are prescription sedatives or Barbiturates are prescription sedatives or tranquilizers.tranquilizers.

Barbiturates are multi-colored pills and tablets Barbiturates are multi-colored pills and tablets and are classified as Central Nervous System and are classified as Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants that cause drowsiness.(CNS) depressants that cause drowsiness.

Barbiturates are more commonly known as Barbiturates are more commonly known as “ “DOWNERS”. DOWNERS”.

STREET NAMESSTREET NAMESSTREET NAMESSTREET NAMES

Barbiturates are identified on the street by Barbiturates are identified on the street by the color of the pill and can be called:the color of the pill and can be called:

Barbiturates are identified on the street by Barbiturates are identified on the street by the color of the pill and can be called:the color of the pill and can be called:

BarbsBarbs DownersDowners SleepersSleepers StumblersStumblers RainbowsRainbows

BarbsBarbs DownersDowners SleepersSleepers StumblersStumblers RainbowsRainbows

Blue Heavens Blue Heavens Yellow JacketsYellow Jackets Red DevilsRed Devils TootsiesTootsies Red DollsRed Dolls

Blue Heavens Blue Heavens Yellow JacketsYellow Jackets Red DevilsRed Devils TootsiesTootsies Red DollsRed Dolls

HISTORY of BARBITURATESHISTORY of BARBITURATESHISTORY of BARBITURATESHISTORY of BARBITURATES

• 1863 - Barbiturates were developed 1863 - Barbiturates were developed by Adolph von Bayer, famous for by Adolph von Bayer, famous for developing aspirin, and heroin.developing aspirin, and heroin.

• 1903 – Barbiturates were first used 1903 – Barbiturates were first used in medical practices. Barbital in medical practices. Barbital (barbitone), was used as a sedative (barbitone), was used as a sedative for the chronically nervous.for the chronically nervous.

HISTORY of BARBITURATES (cont)HISTORY of BARBITURATES (cont)HISTORY of BARBITURATES (cont)HISTORY of BARBITURATES (cont)

Since 1903:Since 1903:– Over 2,000 barbiturates have been Over 2,000 barbiturates have been

manufactured using Bayer’s original formula. manufactured using Bayer’s original formula.

– So widely used at first that they were So widely used at first that they were nicknamed “wonder drugs”. nicknamed “wonder drugs”.

– Use has been drastically reduced due to:Use has been drastically reduced due to:• The introduction of sedative drugs prescribed to The introduction of sedative drugs prescribed to

reduce anxiety such as Valium and Xanax.reduce anxiety such as Valium and Xanax.• The dangerous side effects that are associated with The dangerous side effects that are associated with

barbiturate use. barbiturate use.

HOW ARE THEY TAKEN?HOW ARE THEY TAKEN?HOW ARE THEY TAKEN?HOW ARE THEY TAKEN?

Barbiturates can be ingested in a Barbiturates can be ingested in a variety of ways:variety of ways:

1)1) Orally – In a pill or liquid form.Orally – In a pill or liquid form.

2)2) Intravenously – Injected with the use Intravenously – Injected with the use of a hypodermic needle:of a hypodermic needle:

- Injected into the bloodstream or muscle Injected into the bloodstream or muscle (MAINLINING)(MAINLINING)

- Injected under the skin (SKIN POPPING)Injected under the skin (SKIN POPPING)

3)3) Inserted into the body via suppository.Inserted into the body via suppository.

WHY ARE THEY USED?WHY ARE THEY USED?WHY ARE THEY USED?WHY ARE THEY USED?

•Barbiturates are most often consumed to get “high”.Barbiturates are most often consumed to get “high”.

•Barbiturates are used by drug users to treat the Barbiturates are used by drug users to treat the unpleasant effects of other drugs such as:unpleasant effects of other drugs such as:

CocaineCocaine

MethamphetamineMethamphetamine

Ecstasy Ecstasy

•Barbiturates are prescribed to treat:Barbiturates are prescribed to treat:AnxietyAnxiety

DepressionDepression

EpilepsyEpilepsy

InsomniaInsomnia

Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) WithdrawalAlcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Withdrawal

PHYSICAL EFFECTSPHYSICAL EFFECTSPHYSICAL EFFECTSPHYSICAL EFFECTS

»Lack of MotivationLack of Motivation

»Reduced Sex DriveReduced Sex Drive

»Irregular MenstruationIrregular Menstruation

»Breathing DisordersBreathing Disorders

»Decreased Blood Decreased Blood PressurePressure

»ComaComa

»DeathDeath

»SleepinessSleepiness

»DizzinessDizziness

»NauseaNausea

»Slurred SpeechSlurred Speech

»Impaired MemoryImpaired Memory

»Impaired JudgmentImpaired Judgment

»VertigoVertigo

»ImpotenceImpotence

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTSPSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTSPSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTSPSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS

Mild EuphoriaMild Euphoria

DisinhibitionDisinhibition

Anxiety ReliefAnxiety Relief

SleepinessSleepiness

Memory ImpairmentMemory Impairment

Loss of CoordinationLoss of Coordination

Increased IrritabilityIncreased Irritability

Severe ParanoiaSevere Paranoia

Suicidal ThoughtsSuicidal Thoughts

BARBITURATE USE IN THE BARBITURATE USE IN THE UNITED STATESUNITED STATES

BARBITURATE USE IN THE BARBITURATE USE IN THE UNITED STATESUNITED STATES

Barbiturate use in the United States was stable Barbiturate use in the United States was stable between 1999 and 2000 amongst people ages 18-25.between 1999 and 2000 amongst people ages 18-25.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Lifetime Past Year Past Month

1999

2000

Percentage of People Age 18-25 Reporting Barbiturate Use, Percentage of People Age 18-25 Reporting Barbiturate Use, 1999-2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse1999-2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse

BARBITURATE TESTING IN BARBITURATE TESTING IN THE ARMYTHE ARMY

BARBITURATE TESTING IN BARBITURATE TESTING IN THE ARMYTHE ARMY

• Barbiturates can be detected in urine up Barbiturates can be detected in urine up to 2-3 days after ingestion.to 2-3 days after ingestion.

• The Army tests the following The Army tests the following barbiturates on a rotational schedule:barbiturates on a rotational schedule:

– Butabital Butabital – PhenobarbitalPhenobarbital– SecobarbitolSecobarbitol

ADDITIONAL RESOURCESADDITIONAL RESOURCESADDITIONAL RESOURCESADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• http://www.drugfreenc.org/http://www.drugfreenc.org/• http://ncadi.samhsa.govhttp://ncadi.samhsa.gov• http://espn.go.com/special/s/drugsandsports/barbs.htmlhttp://espn.go.com/special/s/drugsandsports/barbs.html• http://www.drugfreeworkplace.com/http://www.drugfreeworkplace.com/

UNITED STATESUNITED STATESARMY CENTER FOR ARMY CENTER FOR

SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMSSUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS

For more Information ContactThe Fort Lee ASAP Office:

(804) 734-9079E-mail: usarmy.lee.imcom.mbx.leee-ima-adco@mail.mil