Law Enforcement I. The student will be able to: Identify current commonly abused drugs in society. Identify side effects from downer drugs. Research

Drug DangersLaw Enforcement I

Learning Objectives

The student will be able to: Identify current commonly abused drugs

in society. Identify side effects from downer drugs. Research the effects of substances such

as ecstasy, gamma hydroxybutyrate, rohypnol and ketamine.

Identify common terms used in drug use and abuse.

List the signs of drug use. Summarize the procedures for handling

dangerous and unpredictable drugs such as methamphetamine.

2UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Drug DangersCurrent Drug Trends


Current Drug Trends

Downers Hydrocodone Xanax/Oxycontin Rohypnol

Rave Drugs Ecstasy Ketamine GHB

Others Alcohol Marijuana Ritalin Crack Cocaine Methamphetamin

e DXM Inhalants


Downers

Downers – drugs that reduce excitability and calm a person

Reasons for UsePain, surgery, injuryAnxietyCoping with stressful times

(job loss, divorce, death)Addictions


Downers (continued)

Physical Effects Droopy head and

eyelids Slowed walk Slowed, slurred

speech Constricted pupils Dry skin Constipation Changes in hormones

Negative Effects Lowered inhibitions Slurred speech and

clumsy body movement

Confusion Dizziness Poor memory and

judgment Short attention span Hypnosis and sleep Coma and shock Death


Hydrocodone

Prescription drugs are some of the most used and abused medicines.

Most widely written prescriptionSubstituted for Morphine“White Collar” addicts

Forms Tablets Capsule

s Liquid

Uses Cough

suppressant Analgesic for

pain 7UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Hydrocodone (continued)

Medical names Vicoprofen Hycodan Vicodin Lortab Lorcet

Street names Vikes Hydro Norco

Side EffectsNausea Drowsiness Impaired

coordinationWeaknessConfusionConstricted pupilsClammy skinMuscle relaxationLow blood pressure Low respiratory

rate 8UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Xanax

Prescribed to patients for anxiety, panic and stress disorders

Street names Z-bars Bars School bus Yellow boys Footballs

HandlebarsWhite boysWhite girlsBicycle parts


Oxycontin

Prescribed for relief of moderate to severe pain resulting from injuries, bursitis, neuralgia, arthritis, and cancer

Street names OcsOxOxy Blue

Hillbilly heroin

Kicker Oxycotton


Xanax and Oxycontin

Side Effects Extreme loss of appetite and weight Constricted, pinpoint pupils Watery, sunken-in eyes Poor complexion or sickly appearance Constipation Drowsiness and falling asleep at odd times Frequently sick Tremors, twitching, excessive scratching May appear intoxicated with no signs of

alcohol use11UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

“The Date Rape Drug” 10 times more potent

than Valium Works in 15 minutes Lasts up to 8 hours Short term amnesia Can be fatal with alcohol Odorless and tasteless Now dissolves more

slowly and turns blue in liquid

Rohypnol

Side effects Decreased heart

rate and blood pressure

Poor coordination Sedation Fatigue Confusion Dizziness Memory

impairment Amnesia Nightmares Tremors 12UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Drug DangersRave Drugs


MDMA “Ecstasy”

Physical Effects Dryness of mouth Jaw clenching Teeth grinding Mild eye twitching Sweating Nausea Fast/pounding

heartbeat Dizziness Restlessness

Street Names Ecstasy XTC “E” “X” Beans Adams Hug Drug Disco Biscuit Go


MDMA “Ecstasy” (continued)

Physical signsDryness of mouth Jaw clenchingTeeth grindingMild eye twitchingSweatingNauseaFast/pounding heartbeat

DizzinessRestlessness

Side effects (80-150 milligrams)

Increased tactile sensitivity

Increased empathic feelings

High levels of serotonin (a sense of extreme happiness)

Decreased inhibitions Impaired memory and

learning Hyperthermia Heart and liver toxicity Renal failure


Ketamine “Special K”

Created as an anesthesia for small animals

Used in the Vietnam War on wounded soldiers

Numbing properties Lethal when mixed with other drugsStreet names

Jet Super acid Special "K“ Green “K” Cat Valium

Forms Odorless Colorless


Ketamine “Special K” (continued)

Low dosesQuieting/calming

effectMeditative and

introspective moodMild inebriationDreamy thinkingA temporary sense of

the world as unimportant

Similar effects as LSDLasts about 1 hour

High doses Induces mild

anesthetic state Feelings of

tiredness and dizziness

Severe hallucinations

Delirium Death


Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

Most commonly mixed with alcohol

Forms Odorless/colorless liquid White powder

Low doses Drowsiness Dizziness Nausea Visual disturbances Incapable of resisting Memory problems

High doses Unconsciousness Seizures Severe respiratory

depression Coma Overdose


Drug DangersOther Common Drugs Abused


Alcoholism

Craving – a strong need, or urge, to drink

Loss of control – not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun

Physical dependence – withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking

Tolerance – the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get "high”


Cannabis Sativa “Marijuana” Active ingredient is

THC Street Names

GrassPotWeedReefer

Side effectsFaster heartbeat and

pulseBlood shot eyesDry mouth and throatImpaired short-term

memoryAltered sense of timeInability to

concentrateSlowed reaction timesReduced coordination


Ritalin/Focalin/Concerta/Adderall

Central nervous system stimulant Treats ADHD/ADDPhysical effects

Appetite suppression Increased alertness Increases in

Blood pressure Heart rate Respiration Body temperature


Crack Cocaine

Highly addictive stimulant

Mixture of powdered cocaine

Street namesJelly beansRoosterTornado

Methods of useSmokingSnorting 23UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Crack Cocaine (continued)

Side effectsAnxietyDepression IrritabilityExtreme

fatigueParanoia

Long-term use Alienate family and

friends Isolated and suspicious Lie Cheat Steal Commit violent crimes


Methamphetamine

Central nervous system stimulantCan be prescribed, but can not be

refilledColor varies depending on the

cooking methodUsually in a colorless, odorless,

bitter-tasting crystalline formLasts up to 12 hoursEffects similar to crack cocaine


Methamphetamine

Methods of use are: Swallowing Snorting Smoking (glass pipe) Shooting (syringe

injection)Street names

Glass Ice Meth Speed Crank Crystal Meth

Side effects Increased alertness Increased physical

activity Decreased appetite Rapid heart rate Increased blood

pressure 26UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

DXM

The cough-suppressant found in cold medicine

Available over-the-counterEffects last up to 6 hoursForms

Syrups Tablets Liquid


DXM (continued)

Side effects Slurred speech Diarrhea Abdominal pain Rash Fever and

sweating Headache Brain damage Death

Street names Robo Skittles Triple C Red Devils


Inhalants (Extremely Deadly)

Methods of useHuffingSniffingSnorting

Side effectsSlows bodily functionsLess inhibitionLoss of consciousnessBrain and body

damageDeath

Items used Correction fluid Markers Spray paint Model airplane glue Rubber cement Hair spray Air freshener Deodorant Freon Nail polish remover Paint thinner Miscellaneous others


Drug DangersDrug User Behaviors and Handling Procedures


Drug Terminology

Abuser – a person who continues to use a drug after it is needed or even though it is not needed

Dependent – when a person experiences withdrawal symptoms from reducing or stopping the use of the drug

Overdose – a user takes more of a drug than the body can process; usually results in death 31UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Drug User Behaviors

Behaviors of drug users – drug users often engage in risky behavior and criminal activity because of their drug use The money needed for drugs leads to

prostitution, drug dealing, and burglary Very aggressive and violent Suicidal Higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases Isolation from family and friends


Signs of Drug Use: Personality Disrespectful or even verbally and

physically abusive Emotionally erratic (angry, depressed,

paranoid, confused, extreme mood swings, etc.)

Secretive and dishonest Steals or “looses” valued possessions Spends or requests money constantly Withdraws from family and friends


Signs of Drug Use: Physical

Neglects personal hygiene and grooming

Sleeps too much or too littleExhibits loss of appetiteExperiences abnormal weight loss or

gainExhibits abnormal energy level,

hyperactivity or lethargy


Signs of Drug Use: Social Drops friends, activities, and interests Skips school Loses interest in schoolwork, resulting in

low grades Sleeps in class Loses concentration and poor memory


General Guidelines Always wear protective gloves and equipment Never taste the substances Document the color, texture and odor of a

substance Contact the proper agency to dismantle, if it

appears to be a drug lab Never handle unknown or questionable

substances Maintain custody and control of the substances Package drugs separately

Procedures for Handling Drugs


ProceduresRetain the property until it is properly tagged and placed in a property locker

Book all drugs separatelyBook all drug paraphernalia separately

Use syringe tubes to package syringes and needles

Procedures for Handling Drugs(continued)


Procedures for Handling Drugs(continued)

Packaging Complete a presumptive test if the quantity

allows Include the result in the officer’s report Weigh drugs in the container they are held in Weigh the entire package after sealing it, and

then record the gross weight Place drugs in an envelope and seal both ends

with evidence tape Write your initials and the date on the outside of

the evidence tape38UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Resources

Houle, Michelle M. Berkley Heights, NJ. Tranquilizer, Barbiturate and Downers Drug Dangers; Enslow Publishers, 1997.

Barter, James. Hallucinogens. San Diego, CA; Lucent Books, 2002.

National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Archived Publications, Fast Facts Series

http://www.justice.gov/ndic/topics/archived.htm#Top U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

http://www.justice.gov/dea/index.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm National Institute on Drug Abuse

http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/DrugsofAbuse.html

www.streetdrugs.org


http://www.justice.gov/ndic/topics/archived.htm#Top

http://www.justice.gov/dea/index.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm



http://www.streetdrugs.org/

Documents

Law Enforcement I. The student will be able to: Identify current commonly abused drugs in society. Identify side effects from downer drugs. Research