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DrugsOverviewDependence and Criminal ActivityTypes / ClassificationMethods of IdentificationCollection and Preservation of Evidence

Drug Defineda natural or synthetic substanceproduces physiological /psychological effectsin humans / animalsReasons for Drug Use TodaySustain / prolong lifeEscape lifes pressuresEnhance performanceEngage in spiritual experiencesEnd life

How many drugs can you name?Drug Facts 90 million regularly drink alcohol; 10 million are addicted

23 million use illicit drugs

More than 75% of evidence processed by crime labs

Drug DependenceSustaining/Prolonging Life

Physical Dependence

Psychological DependencePhysical DependenceSubstances:Alcohol, narcotics, depressants

Requires prolonged, routine daily doses

Avoiding withdrawal drives dependence

Withdrawal:Severe physical illness: chills, vomiting, stomach cramps, possible death

7Psychological DependenceMany drugs (see Table Handout)

Hard to define / predict

Its a Need not a craving

Withdrawal: headaches, tremors, etc.

Comparison of the perceived harm for various psychoactive drugs from a poll among medical psychiatrists specialized in addiction treatment (David Nutt et al. 2007).Nutt, D.; King, L. A.; Saulsbury, W.;Blakemore, C.(2007). "Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuse".The Lancet369(9566): 10471053.doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60464-4.PMID17382831.9Societal Impact of Drugsa Balance between individual and societyIndividualSocietyPersonal healthPublic healthFamily obligationsSocietal obligationsEconomic wellbeingEconomic impactsPersonal safetyPublic safetyPablo Escobar

Routes of EntryIngestion

Inhalation

Injection

absorption

Illegal or Illicit Drugs?Illegal drug = drug that is against the law to have, use or distribute

Illicit drug = a legal drug used in an inappropriate or illegal way

Types of DrugsNarcotics - CNS depressantsHallucinogens - altered awarenessStimulants - increased energy, alertnessDepressants: ease anxiety, induce sleepAnabolic steroids: promote cell and tissue growth

History of Drugs in USNarcotics: CNS depressantsAnalgesics aka pain killersOpiates: morphine, heroin, codeine, methadone, Synthetic opiates: oxycodone, vicodin, Psychological and physiologically addictiveAct on opiate receptors in limbic system, brainstem and spinal cord

Photo shows - pium Poppy, CrudeOpium, Codeine, Heroin,and Morphine

Opiates are primarilycentral nervous system (CNS) depressantsandnarcotic analgesics. The use of opiates typically creates physical as well as psychological dependence and tolerance. Opium is the milky latex fluid contained in the unripened seed pod of the opium poppy (papaver somniferum). Opium contains a number of different alkaloids. But only one family of alkaloids, the phemanthrene alkaloids, can be converted to narcotic substances. It is this highly addictive family of alkaloids and their derivatives that are controlled by national and international law. From this family comes morphine, codeine, and thebaine - the natural opiates. The semi-synthetic opiates are then derived from these substances.http://www.drugtestsuccess.com/information/drugs-opiates14Hallucinogens: altered awarenessChanges in thought, perception and mood

from plants: Marihuana, LSD, mecalineSyntheticPCP, MDMA

Possibly psychological not physiologically addictive

May act on serotonin (neurotransmitter) receptors in the cortex, disrupting integration

Photo shows mushroom containing psilocybin15Stimulants: increased energy, alertnessStimulates CNS activity

include: Amphetamines, methamphetamine, cocaine, nicotine, caffeine

Psychological not physiologically addictive

Act as key brain neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine

Depressants: ease anxiety, induce sleepDepresses CNS activityinclude: Barbituates, benzodiazepines, alcoholAntipsychotic drugs, antianxiety drugsPsychological and physiologically addictiveIncreases brain neurotransmitter activity of GABA

Anabolic steroidsStimulates cell and tissue growth

Psychological not physiologically addictive

Act similarly to male sex hormone - testosterone

Drug-Control LawsCareful analysis for type, weight, concentration

Controlled Substance Act (1970) legal drug classification

DEA CSA

Drug IdentificationScreening / Presumptive Tests quick, easy, cheap TypesSpot / color testsMicrocrystalline testsChromatography Confirmatory Tests DefinitiveTypesSpectrophotometry (UV, visible, IR)Mass Spectroscopy

Chromatography is not used to identify but rather to separate mixtures into their component substances which can then be run through spectrophotometric and mass spec tests.21Presumptive Color TestsMarquis Test Purple opiatesOrange brown amphetaminesDille-Koppanyl TestViolet blue barbituratesDuquenois-Levine Test Purple marihuanaVan Urk TestBlue-purple LSDScott TestBlue cocaine

heroin

methamphetamineMicrocrystalline TestsChemical reagent added to substance on microscope slideSize and shape of crystals characteristic for certain drugs

methamphetamine

Physicians Desk ReferenceUsed to identify manufacturedPills, tablets, capsulesUpdated yearlyInformationPictureDrug StatusOver the counter, Prescription, orControlled substance

Chromatography Separates substances in a mixture mobile and stationary phasesTypesPaperThin Layer (TLC)Gas (GC)

Paper Chromatography Stationary phase paperMobile Phase liquid solventCapillary action draws solvent and dissolved substance through the stationary phase (paper)

Thin Layer Chromatography Stationary phase silica coating on glassMobile Phase liquid solventCapillary action draws solvent and dissolved substance through the stationary phase (paper)

Retention Factor RfRf = Dc / Ds

If two Rfs are close, substances are similar or a match

DcDsGas Chromatography Stationary phase solid or viscous liquid

Mobile Phase inert gas (He, Ne)

Uses retention time not Rf

Shows peak proportional to quantity present

Confirmatory Tests Identify compounds in Drug Evidence

TestsSpectrophotometrySpectroscopy

SpectrophotometryUV-visible and IR can be used to analyze unknown substances

Substances absorb, reflect or transmit a specific pattern of wavelengths of light

The pattern can be used to ID/quantify unknown substances

UV-visible SpectrophotometryUV-visible light can be used to identify unknown substances

Identification is not always exact; other substances can have similar patterns

Infrared SpectrophotometryIR light can be used to identify unknown substances

Absorption pattern is more copmlex

Identification is chemical fingerprint

Mass SpectroscopySubstance bombarded with high energy electrons

Substance ionizes and breaks into smaller fragments

Fragments separate by mass

Fragment pattern is unique to substance

Human Samples for Drug Analysis Blood Urine Hair Stomach contents Brain Tissue Kidney tissue Spleen tissue

Evidence Collection and PreservationPrevent loss, cross contaminationIncludeBackground informationScreening test results