Illicit DrugsJoseph Marshall

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Rapid City, SD 57701

Illicit drugs

Illicit drugs are present in almost every city in this nation, no mater how small. It seems that the rewards of using drugs (weather it is of a social nature, or the result of long term use causing a physical or psychological dependence) out weigh the punishment that is possible. There is also a great economic reward for the manufacture and transport of such substances. Some users go to great trouble to hide their use of these substances, while others openly call attention to it. There is quite a large culture of use in this country and elsewhere.

Much is still not fully understood about brain chemistry and the effects of drug use. Some substances are more understood than others. However, it seems that much light must be shed on this matter. Most of the information that was encountered seemed to be of a “symptomatic” nature, rather than of a “chemical” nature. Some of these substances have been around of centuries, such as cocaine, and some are relatively new, such as PCP, and MDMA, both developed in the 20th century.

More research and testing is needed in the area of the chemical effects of these substances and many more on the human laboratory.

Phencyclidine (PCP) : (see above)

Also known as: angel dust, ozone, wack, rocket fuel.

When combined with marijuana: killer joint, and crystal super grass.

Physical data:

Called 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)piperdine.

Colorless crystals, melt point of 46-46.5 degrees C.

Hydrochloride, crystals from 2 propanol melt point 233-235 degrees C.

LD50 in mice, 76.5 mg per kg of body mass.

Produced:

In illegal laboratories, adding to the dangers already present in the substance.

Illegally produced material is not always pure, or exactly what it is assumed to be, toxic by products can make it in to the final product, leading to worse reactions than just the PCP alone.

Use:

Snorted, smoked or eaten. Applied to leafy material for smoking

Was once used as an anesthetic.

Discontinued use in humans in 1965 due to the effects that it is now used illegally for.

Patent held by Park Davis.

The hydrochloride is a depressant, as is the hydrobromide.

Some analogs are considered hallucinogens.

(PCP continued)Experiences:

PCP is a general anesthetic, it causes the user to have no physical sensation. Hallucinations follow.

Effects:

Addictive, use leads to compulsive PCP seeking behavior.

It incenses the heart rate.

Incenses the blood pressure.

Some users become self destructive, suicidal.

Some users also become violent.

Sweating occurs in most individuals.

Numbness in the extremities and ataxia similar to alcohol intoxication may result.

Nausea, blurred vision, vomiting, drooling, loss of balance, and jerky motions of the eyes may follow the above.

Coma and death can result from high doses.

Effects can seem to be schizophrenia related.

Long term effects include:

Weight loss, depression, and disordered thinking have been reported years after the end of PCP use by some users.

Comments:

PCP use is on the decline, as it has a reputation as a drug that can cause more problems than it is worth. Many people after using PCP once will not knowingly use it again.

Effects of meth use:Therapeutic: treatment of obesity, limited.

Illicit: raises the levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Increased wakefulness.

Increased physical activity.

Decreased appetite.

Increased respiration.

Hyperthermia.

Euphoria.

Paranoia.

Increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Damage to blood vessels in the brain, leading to stroke.

Death, due to cardiovascular collapse.

Comments:

Both forms addictive, users will increase the dosage and reduce the time interval between uses.

Research dating back 20 years shows that meth use causes damage to the neuron cell endings in animals, the sites on the neuron that accept or exude transmitters. Cells containing dopamine or serotonin seem to be damaged but do not die, just lose function.

The effects of meth use are long lasting compared to those of cocaine. A high from cocaine may last for four hours, but with meth it may last 24 hours. Some destructive behaviors associated with meth use may last for days if not weeks.

Meth use is on the rise in some of this nation’s cities, such as Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Seattle.

Methamphetamine: (see above)

Also known as: crank, meth, speed, and chalk.

Methamphetamine hydrochloride:

Known as crystal meth, glass, crystal, batu, and ice.

It can be synthesized from ephedrine or pseudoephedrine,found in many over-the-counter medications, such as those sold for treatment of nasal congestion. This is a reduction reaction. Many illegal labs contribute to it’s production, with sometimes disastrous results.

Physical data:

Called N,-Dimethylbenzeneethanamine.

Chemical Abstracts number [537-46-2], for hydrochloride [51-57-0]

Crystals of hydrochloride melt point 170-175 degrees C.

Soluble in water, alcohol, chloroform.

Not soluble in ether.

1% solution is slightly acidic or neutral to litmus.

LD50 in mice, 70 mg per kg body mass

Use:

Methamphetamine hydrochloride: inhaled by smoking

Methamphetamine: taken orally, snorted in to the nose, intravenous injection. Produces a 24 hour high.

Experiences:

Most users note (after smoking or injecting) a “rush” or a “flash” described as an intensely pleasurable feeling. After ingestion orally or by snorting they note a “high”, not a rush. This is euphoria.

Chem 292, Chemistry Outreach

Fall 2000

Dr. David A. Boyles and Dr. M. Steven McDowell

Some resources for further information.The NIDA of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page:

www.drugabuse.gov/

Some books on this and related subjects

Perrine, Daniel M. The Chemistry of Mind-Altering Drugs. ACS Books. Washington, DC, 1996.

Snyder, Solomon H. Drugs and the Brain, Scientific American Books, New York, New York. 1986.

The structures are from The Merck Index, 12th edition, Editor; Budavari, Susan. Merck and Co. Whitehouse Station, NJ. 1996.

MDMA (Ecstasy): (see above)

Also known as Adam, XTC, E.

Popular among those attending “raves”. Where it is used along with other drugs such as marijuana, PCP, LSD, among others.

An “herbal” form is also found, it contains ephedra and a few other stimulants, however it contains no MDMA.

Physical data:

Called N,-dimethyl-1,3-benzodioxole-5-ethanamine.

Chemical Abstracts number [69610-10-2], for hydrochloride [92279-84-0]

It is an oil at room temp, boiling point 100 - 110 degrees C

The hydrochloride forms crystals, melt point 147-148 degrees C from isopropanol/n-hexane

LD50 in mice 97 mg per kg of body mass, 49 mg per kg in rats,

It has the properties of both a stimulant and a hallucinogen.

Patented.

Use:

Taken in pill form.

No legal uses found

Experiences with MDMA:Both a stimulant and a hallucinogen, MDMA has varied

effects, and most users have different experiences, this is further complicated by the occurrence of may different type of MDMA “formulations” (MDMA mixed or taken with other drugs). The environment that the user is in as well as the experience that the user expects to have can cause variances in reported data.

Effects:

Effects can last up to 24 hours and include:

Confusion.

Sleep problems.

Severe anxiety and paranoia.

Euphoria and hallucinations.

The feeling of mental and emotional clarity.

Sensations of lightness and floating.

Depression.

Sometimes violent and irrational behavior.

Muscle tension and Involuntary clenching of teeth.

Nausea.

Blurred vision.

Dehydration.

Heart attack and stroke.

Hypertension and kidney failure.

Seizure.

Malignant hyperthermia.

Comments:

The use of ecstasy is on the increase in the US. It can be manufactured to look like prescription drugs, and can be purchased for between seven and thirty dollars per pill. There are a number of herbal compositions sold under the name herbal ecstasy. They are made with ephedra, a stimulant as a base, with other materials added for a better “high”. The culture surrounding MDMA use states that there is no harm done by it, in spite of the evidence that states the opposite. MDMA use is popularized in pop culture, and in the rave circuit.