5-1©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd ed. By Richard Saferstein

CLASSIFICATIONOF

DRUGS

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FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd ed. By Richard Saferstein

Introduction• A drug can be defined as a natural or synthetic

substance that is used to produce physiological or psychological effects in humans or other higher order animals.

• Narcotic drugs are analgesics, meaning they relieve pain by a depressing action on the central nervous system. This effects functions such as blood pressure, pulse rate and breathing rate.

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FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd ed. By Richard Saferstein

Hallucinogens• Another class of drugs is hallucinogens;

marijuana is the most well-known member of this class.

• Hallucinogens cause marked changes in normal thought processes, perceptions, and moods.

• It causes short-term memory loss, visual impairment, anxiety reactions, and much more.

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FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd ed. By Richard Saferstein

Depressants• Depressants are another class of drugs.

• Depressants are substances used to depress the functions of the central nervous system.

• Depressants calm irritability and anxiety and may induce sleep.

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FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd ed. By Richard Saferstein

Depressants

•Alcohol enters the body’s bloodstream and quickly travels to the brain, where it acts to suppress the brain’s control of thought processes and muscle coordination.

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FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd ed. By Richard Saferstein

Stimulants• The drug classification of stimulants includes

amphetamines, sometimes known as “uppers” or “speed,” and cocaine.

• Stimulants are substances taken to increase alertness or activity, followed by a decrease in fatigue and a loss of appetite.

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FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd ed. By Richard Saferstein

Stimulants

•Cocaine, extracted from the leaves of Erythroxylin coca, causes increased alertness and vigor, accompanied by the suppression of hunger, fatigue, and boredom.

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FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd ed. By Richard Saferstein

CONCLUSION• Overall, depressants, stimulants, and

hallucinogens have different types of effects, but all those different effects can lead to 1 main effect, death.