NCJ Number
203230
Date Published
2003
Length
56 pages
Annotation
This drug identification guide contains information and photographic illustrations of containers and ingestion forms for abused illicit and prescription drugs within the categories of hallucinogens, narcotics, stimulants, depressants, and "miscellaneous" drugs.
Abstract
Attention is given to the characteristics, adverse effects, abuse prevalence, trafficking, and forms of ingestion for all drugs of abuse in each of the aforementioned categories. The drugs identified as currently popular are "ecstasy," methamphetamine, OxyContin, and the over-the-counter drug DXM. The latter is a cough-suppressing ingredient in a variety of over-the-counter cold and cough medications. It acts centrally to elevate the threshold for coughing. The side effects of excessive DXM use include loss of balance, increased pulse, hypothermia, severe high blood pressure, loss of consciousness, mania, loss of muscle control, permanent brain damage, coma, seizures, cerebral hemorrhages, and stroke. Teens have been reported to drink 3 or 4 bottles of cough syrup in one day and take up to 20-30 tablets of Coricidin. There have been reported cases of overdoses that have resulted in coma and death. Ecstasy is MDMA (N-methyl-3-4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), a psychedelic-amphetamine. The addiction potential is high, and short-term effects include increased heart rate and blood pressure, increased body temperature, possible hyperthermia, jaw and teeth clenching, muscle tension, hypertension, dehydration, chills and/or sweating nausea, blurred vision, faintness, dizziness, confusion, insomnia, and paranoia. Long-term effects include rash, depression, sleep disorders, drug craving, persistent elevation of anxiety, paranoia, and aggressive and impulsive behavior. OxyContin is a sustained, controlled-release formulation of oxycodone. Its formulation was designed for use in moderate to severe pain of prolonged duration. Abuse of this drug has been a continuing problem in the United States since the early 1960's. Its potency is approximately equivalent to morphine in producing opiate-like effects. From 1999 to 2000, emergency room episodes related to drugs containing Oxycodone (including Percocet, Percodan, and OxyContin) increased 68 percent. Methamphetamine, an illegal stimulant, can be lethal and unpredictable. Like cocaine, it is a potent central nervous system stimulant. It can cause a variety of cardiovascular problems. The violence and environmental damage associated with the production, distribution, and use of this drug, as well as the involvement of international drug trafficking organizations render it the third greatest drug threat in the United States. Extensive color photographic illustrations are designed to aid in the identification of the ingestion forms of each drug profiled.