sign in sign up
<<
Home , Dextromethorphan, Dissociative, Methorphan, Morphinan, Phencyclidine

Educational Foundation of America Abuse Education Provider of the: California Narcotic Officers’ Association THE PCP STORY

QUICK FACTS: (PCP), a synthetic drug, is an illegal and mind altering drug. are the single drug category which may produce signs and symptoms of several different drug categories including central , , , and narcotic . One or all of these symptoms may be present at some time. The presence and severity of these effects depends upon the person’s tolerance, dose, and physical makeup.

Phencyclidine (PCP) exerts its primary effect by activating the region of the that controls mind-body disassociation or sensory deprivation. It appears to distort sensory messages sent to the central nervous system. It seems to stifle inhibitions and it deadens pain. The brain’s neurochemicals associated with phencyclidines control pain, endurance, mental stability, sleep control and self-esteem. The Phencyclidine (PCP) abuser may show classical signs of . The highest risk in using this drug is that there is an “unpredictability” to the outcome of the effects and the type of “trip” the user will . In the past there have been signs of an emotional resulting in high levels of abuse in certain populations.

HISTORY OF DRUG UNDER THE INFLUENCE History - (continued from column 1, this page)

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS The term PCP comes from the parent The powder can be placed with plant compound of phencyclidines named 1- material in hand rolled cigarettes and Acute confusional state of Low to phenylcyclohexyl then smoked. Medium dose: hydrochloride. The phencyclidines are PCP crystal can easily be diluted into a synthetically derived class of . • Responsiveness-initially liquid. It will usually be clear to yellow The only supplies of PCP sold in the uncommunicative, may respond in color. A substance suspected to be United States are made in illegal to commands with nodding or PCP can generally be detected by its laboratories . eye movement. distinctive chemical odor. Liquid

• containing PCP, when sprayed, PCP was first synthesized by Orientation - disoriented for sprinkled, or soaked onto a plant researchers at Parke Davis and time and place; appears confused or fearful; . material, which then dries, produces Company in 1956. In 1957, the first “angel dust.” The substance might be: of the drug’s • mint leaves effectiveness as an agent for Behavior - agitated, excited, combative, regressive, self- , , or other spices humans was conducted. PCP seemed marijuana to be more medically effective and destructive or bizarre. safer than other , but • Speech - slurred, intermittently Liquid phencyclidine may also be caused other problems. When used as unable to articulate. dripped on factory cigarettes such as: a surgical anesthetic, up to thirty “Sherman “Moore” “Kool” percent of the patients manifested • Eyes - open or “blank stare agitation, excitement and appearance” with drooping of The primary method of ingestion of disorientation during the recovery eyelids, very little effect on pupil phencyclidine is by the drug. period. Because of the frequency and size. The crystal or powder may be injected; severity of PCP toxic effects, it was although the practice is less common in soon limited to veterinary medicine • - horizontal and most geographical areas vertical. PCP Hydrochloride (HCl) in its pure The effects of PCP differ markedly with state is a powder, usually white in • Motor - gait unable to tandem dose. At low doses the most prominent color. However, due to the impurities walk, (moon) walk, muscle tone effect is similar to that of in the illicit manufacturing process it rigidity. intoxication; a generalized numbness. has a slight yellow or brownish tint to With increased doses, analgesia and then • it. This does not preclude a dealer Restlessness, repetitive are noted. Large doses can from altering this standard appearance. movements. produce , or death. Most persons using PCP experience a • (Continued column 3, this page) Increased secretions-drooling. confused state characterized by feelings

(Continued on page 2, column 1) History - (Continued from page 1, column 3) PHENCYCLIDINE of weightlessness, unreality, depression, RECOGNITION OF PCP AND anxiety and . The inability INTOXICATION ELIMINATION to think and concentrate are often two reported findings. General Indicators: Metabolism is defined as the body’s

mechanism for processing, using and The effects of PCP will vary greatly • eventually eliminating foreign depending upon the purity and amount of Perspiring heavily substances, like drugs, from the PCP used, and the individual’s • body. Once a drug has come into metabolism, sex, age, mental state, Blank stare contact with and / or psychological make-up, tolerance, etc. • chemicals in the bloodstream, a part The onset after smoking is approximately Agitation, excitement or all of the drug may take on a new 1 to 5 minutes. The drug will peak or chemical composition known as a plateau in 15 to 30 minutes and a person • Memory loss metabolite. So, as the drug exerts its will remain high for 4 - 6 hours. As much influence upon the body it is as 24-48 hours will elapse until the user • Chemical odor gradually neutralized, usually by the feels normal. or , maybe both. • Incomplete and slurred verbal Metabolic processes generally OF responses decrease, but occasionally increase PHENCYCLIDINE the effects of psychoactive drugs • Increased pain threshold Since PCP is so strong, particularly for such as PCP. first time users, the range between a dose • that produces a pleasant sensory Non-communicative There are other factors that can affect deprivation effect and one that induces the metabolism of drugs: • catatonia, coma, or convulsions is very Disorientation small. Low dosages (2 to 5 mg) first Age - After the age of 30, the body • produce mild depression, then Cyclic mood swings produces fewer and fewer liver stimulation. Moderate doses (10 to 15 enzymes capable of metabolizing mg) can produce a desirable sensory- • certain drugs. deprived state. They can also produce extremely high pressure and very • Muscle rigidity Heredity - Individuals pass certain combative behavior. Other adverse traits to their offspring that affect the reactions to moderate doses include an • Hallucinations/delusions metabolism of drugs. They might inability to talk, a rigid robotic attitude, have more body fat, which will store tremors, , agitation and fat-seeking type drugs like PCP. paranoid thinking.

PCP is highly soluble in lipid (fat) There are three entirely different kinds of tissues. This process can allow for usage patterns noted with phencyclidine the re-release of the drug without abusers. Each carries its own respective taking in more. If the body is allowed dangers. to break down the fat into energy, One type of user smokes PCP PCP may re-enter the bloodstream. occasionally at parties, dance concerts This is often called a “PCP and other occasions. This person is least .” likely to know what he or she is getting because a passed at a party contains Emotional State - The emotional an unknown dosage. Depending upon the state of the drug user also has a major amount used and the purity of the dose, effect on the drug action. PCP in the effect may be anything from a someone with can be very pleasant numbness to a violent freak out. dangerous because it can further disrupt the chemical balance within Another kind of user is the “regular the brain. user.” This person smokes PCP from twice a month up to three times a week. Other Drugs - The presence of Most of the regular users are hesitant to another drug can keep the body so accept the fact that they are “addicted’. busy that metabolism of a new drug Often they maintain regular employment is delayed. Poly-drug usage is not and appear to be functioning more or less LIQUID PCP only common, but develops a whole normally. IS SOMETIMES new set of medical criteria. (Continued on page #, column 1) STORED IN DARK Pharmacology - (continued from page 1) ANALOGS OF ANGEL (DEATH) DUST? PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP)

“Lay off that stuff. It’s like a rattle

There is a uniqueness of analogs to this class snake - it’ll kill you,” a father pleaded The third type of user is someone who with his son, Richard, whose friend uses PCP every day, or as often as it of drugs in that they have similar had died from using “that stuff.” can be found. This person is much pharmacological activity and are chemically related, but are not the same parent Richard replied, “I guess he just didn’t more likely to know what is being know how to use it.” No one else smoked because he or she is probably compound. One of the close relatives of PCP knows how to use such an dealing PCP in order to support the is a prescribed drug called . It is used as a surgical anesthetic to control severe unpredictable drug. Richard was later expense of its use... or is buying it in found at the bottom of a swimming quantity and “doing his own thing.” pain from burns. There are reported to be at pool at his apartment complex. The So, the problems usually arise not least 34 other analogs of PCP that were looked at by Parke Davis and they all seemed newspaper reported “... curled up on from knowing what one is getting, but his side, his hands pillowed his head. rather from the fact that when to have similar pharmacological activity a to He was slumbering under with someone uses it regularly; memory, Phencyclidine. Some of these analogs were produced by illicit laboratories to circumvent the aid of “that stuff” called Angel reasoning ability, judgment, and Dust. common disappear. the law prohibiting a specific drug. These

drugs can be as dangerous and deadly as the parent compound itself. The United States Health Department Usually the “first time” user is likely reports, “People on PCP (angel dust) to end up with a medical crisis. The have drowned in shallow water second and third types are more likely because they are so disoriented they to be arrested. All three types are just cannot tell which way is up. Others as likely to be involved in have had auto accidents, fallen off roofs, and out of windows, because of the drug’s intoxicating effects. Some NEUROPHYSIOLOGY have died in fires because PCP made them insensitive to the pain of burning, Phencyclidine (PCP) interrupts the and so confused and disoriented that function of the neocortex, the section they could not escape from the of the brain that controls the intellect flames.” and keeps instincts in check. Because the drug blocks pain receptors, violent A thirteen-year-old Chicago girl was PCP episodes may result in self- quoted as saying, “ The first time I inflicted injuries. The effects vary, but tried PCP I blacked out. My friend users frequently report a sense of THE “SHERMAN” OR tried to help me, but I kept falling and distance and estrangement. Time and “MOORE” BROWN hitting my head. I could not even talk body movements are slowed down. CIGARETTES to ask them what happened. I was Muscular coordination worsens and confused. That’s what the ‘dust’ does are dulled. Speech is blocked ARE USED TO DIP to you. It was really bad. I got and incoherent. scared.” SOME OF THE RELATED DANGERS Unlike many drugs, PCP use can cause ASSOCIATED WITH PCP an amnesic reaction. A user forgets they are “high” from the drug and STREET NAMES FOR PCP One of the really scary things about believes their fantasies are real. Users PCP is the wide range of in often hallucinate that they are dead or Phencyclidine PCP Liquid the two commonly used forms. The dying. Even users admit the dangers. people (mostly teenagers and in their Angel dust Powder Wets early twenties) involved with this “SUPERHUMAN” STRENGTH drug, from the manufacturers to the Chill Pill Love Pill Hog users, don’t know how strong it is Frequently, it is reported that people and have no way of finding out high on PCP have superhuman strength. Killer weed Juice Sherms except in a general way by trial and However, the truth is that since the error. This may well be the reason person has such a low threshold to pain K.J. Wet Daddy Crystal we are faced with so many drug that the person may sustain longer induced automobile accidents, health periods of time of no () impairments, and untimely deaths PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP) IS DANGEROUS: UNPREDICTABILITY IS ITS NATURE ANESTHETIC Includes drugs that inhibit pain by cutting off or "disassociating" the brain's perception of pain. PCP, Ketamine and DXM are considered dissociative anesthetics. / DXM Dextromethorphan is a white powder. Available primarily in tablet, capsule and liquid form. Synonyms: 3-methoxy-17-methyl-9〈 , 13〈 , 14 〈 - hydrobromide monohydrate; dextromethorphan hydrobromide, DXM, “robbo tripping”; Anaplex-DM,Diabe-Tuss DM, Benylin, Pertussin, , Sucrets, Bromfed-DM, Robitussin, Formula 44, etc. Source: Synthetic analog of and d- of 3-methoxy-N-methymorphinan. Available as lozenges, capsules, tablets, and , in a variety of prescription and over-the-counter cough and cold remedies. Products contain dextromethorphan alone or in combination with , , , , , codeine, acetaminophen, and/or chlorpheniramine. For example, Diabe-Tuss DM contains 15 mg dextromethorphan; Benylin® Adult and Pediatric contain 15 mg and 7.5 mg dextromethorphan, respectively; and Anaplex-DM contains 30 mg dex- tromethorphan, 4mg brompheniramine and 60 mg pseudoephedrine. : Non- antitussive, cough suppressant, CNS (in high doses). Medical and Recreational Uses: Used as an antitussive for temporary relief of caused by minor throat and bronchial irri- tation. Recreationally used for effects ranging from mild stimulation and intoxication, to dissociation.

Effects: At recommended doses, dextro- UNDER THE INFLUENCE Side Effects: Adverse effects with rec- produces little or no CNS SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS ommended antitussive doses are rare. depression. At recreational doses, positive However, , other gastrointestinal effects may include acute , elevated disturbances, slight drowsiness and diz- • horizontal gaze nystagmus mood, dissociation of mind from body, crea- ziness can occur. Following acute doses present tive dream-like , and increased of between 250-1500 mg, the following perceptual awareness. Other effects include • clinical and overdose symptoms have disorientation, confusion, pupillary dilation, vertical nystagmus present been reported: excitation, nausea, vom- and altered time perception, visual and audi- at high doses iting, drowsiness, , blurred tory hallucinations, and decreased sexual vision, nystagmus, dilated pupils, body • functioning. Recreational doses of approxi- lack of convergence present itching, , , sweating, hot/cold mately 100-200 mg have a mild, flashes, , , shallow • effect (likened to MDA); doses of 200-500 pupil size normal to dilated respiration, , , mg produce a more intoxicating effect opisthotonos (spasm where head and (likened to being ‘drunk and stoned’); 500- • pulse rate down heels are bent back, and torso is bent 1000 mg may result in mild hallucinations forward), toxic (hyperactivity, and a mild dissociate effect (likened to a low • blood pressure down marked visual and auditory hallucina- dose of ketamine) and an overall disturbance tions), coma, and an increase in heart in thinking, senses and memory; while doses • body temperature normal rate, blood pressure and body tempera- over 1000 mg may produce a fully dissocia- ture. Side effects can be serious if very tive effect (likened to a high dose of keta- large doses of the combined prepara- mine). Recreationally abused doses are capa- tions are ingested; for example, ble of impairing judgment, memory, lan- uaifenesin and dextromethorphan can guage, and other mental performances. cause severe nausea and ; chlorpheniramine and dextromethor- Duration of Effects: Dextromethorphan phan can cause , loss of con- exerts its antitussive effects within 15-30 sciousness and bleeding. minutes of . The duration of action is approximately 3-6 hours with conventional dosage forms.

This information is provided free of charge. Please feel free to duplicate it for distribution. For other publications, contact us at 1-877-775-NARC (6272), or visit our web site at: www.cnoa.org