NCJ Number
155041
Date Published
Unknown
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Based on principles of forensic psychopharmacology, this discussion focuses on aspects of phencyclidine (PCP)-induced behavior which can be applied to legal issues.
Abstract
The state of mind brought on by drug-induced intoxication and behavior can be mitigated or exacerbated by various drug variables and user variables including, inter alia, preparation and purity of the drug, drug dosage, route of administration, speed of ingestion, user age and sex, presence of other psychoactive agents, and behavioral history. While PCP remains medically classified as an anesthetic agent, intoxication with the drug can be marked by excitatory, sedative, hallucinatory, catatonic, and even seizure behaviors. This article describes clinical and police encounters with persons intoxicated with PCP, and outlines statements and thoughts of intoxicated individuals, to illustrate the aggression, hostility, and disinhibition that can accompany use of this substance. PCP can cause the intoxicated person to make poor judgments, to become panic-stricken, and to disregard the long- range consequences of a given behavior. Many expert witnesses have been called upon in cases involving PCP and the defense's use of a diminished capacity defense. Nonetheless, diminished capacity cases are generally unsuccessful, and even when successful, may not result in adequate treatment for the offender. 19 references