MANAGEMENT OF DRUG PROBLEMS (FROM NEW POLICE SURGEON - A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CLINICAL FORENSIC MEDICINE, 1978, BY H S BURGES AND J E HILTON - SEE NCJ-61742)

• NCJ Number: 61756
• Author(s): S E JOSSE
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 23 pages
• Corporate Author: Hutchinson Benham Ltd
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

CONSIDERATIONS OF THE POLICE SURGEON IN DEALING WITH CASES INVOLVING DRUG ABUSE ARE PRESENTED; SUBJECTS INCLUDE ASSESSMENT, RELATED LEGISLATION, NARCOTIC ANALGESICS, DEPRESSANTS, AND HALLUCINOGENS.

Abstract

WHEN A PRISONER IS CONSIDERED UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS, INCLUDING ALCOHOL, AND IS UNCONSCIOUS OR OTHERWISE UNABLE TO GIVE CONSENT FOR EXAMINATION, THE POLICE SURGEON MAY REASONABLY ASSUME CONSENT IS GIVEN AND PROCEED. SUSPICION OF DRUG ABUSE WILL OCCUR IF DRUGS OR SYRINGES OR A BURNT SPOON USED FOR MIXING DRUGS ARE FOUND ON THE PATIENT; IF SKIN PUNCTURE MARKS ARE PRESENT; WHERE THROMBOPHLEBITIS OF SEVERAL VEINS HAS OCCURRED; AND WHERE THE GENERAL CONDITION OF THE PATIENT IS POOR. POLICE SURGEONS MUST DETERMINE WHETHER THE PRISONER IS FIT FOR CUSTODY, WHETHER THE PRISONER'S SYMPTOMS AND BEHAVIOR HAVE RESULTED FROM DRUG ABUSE, AND WHICH DRUGS MAY BE INVOLVED. DURING EXAMINATION, BLOOD AND URINE ANALYSES SHOULD BE CONDUCTED. LEGISLATIVE REGULATIONS SPECIFY WHICH DRUGS MAY BE USED, AND HOW THEY MAY BE PRESCRIBED. DRUGS ARE CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULES, NUMBERED 1 TO 4. SCHEDULE 1 DRUGS MAY BE PURCHASED BY THE PUBLIC WITHOUT RESTRICTION; SCHEDULE 2 AND SCHEDULE 3 DRUGS MUST BE PRESCRIBED IN WRITING. SCHEDULE 4 DRUGS INCLUDE LSD AND MESCALINE, AND ARE RARELY USED IN MEDICAL PRACTICE. FOR PRACTICAL PURPOSES, DRUGS MAY BE CLASSIFIED AS NARCOTIC ANALGESICS, CNS GENERAL DEPRESSANTS, CNS SYMPATHOMIMETICS, AND HALLUCINOGENS. HEROIN AND METHADONE COME UNDER THE FIRST HEADING. THE CLINICAL DETECTION OF THEIR ABUSE IS BY THEIR TOXICITY OR PRODUCTION OF WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS. DEPRESSANTS INCLUDE BARBITURATES, ALCOHOL, MEPROBAMATE, AND METHAQUALONE. ACUTE SEVERE OVERDOSE IS CHARACTERIZED BY DROWSINESS AND COMA; ABRUPT DISCONTINUATION OF BARBITURATES TAKEN IN LARGE DOSES LEADS TO A SEVERE CLINICAL PICTURE, OFTEN INCLUDING DEATH. SYMPATHOMIMETICS ARE USED FOR A STIMULANT EFFECT AND INCLUDE AMPHETAMINES AND COCAINE; TOXIC EFFECTS INVOLVE TACHYCARDIA, DILATED PUPILS, AND RAISED BLOOD PRESSURE. HALLUCINOGENS, SUCH AS LSD, PRODUCE PSYCHOTIC REACTIONS, HALLUCINATIONS, DELUSIONS, ANXIETY, AND DISORIENTATION. A CHART AND DIAGRAM ARE INCLUDED IN THE CHAPTER. (LWM)