12/6/2017 Drugs of abuse in Forensic Toxicology/ Group work Dr Calum Morrison Forensic Medicine and Science Intended Learning Outcomes 05 December 2017 • Develop an • Develop group awareness of work skills – drugs of abuse individual in forensic contribution toxicology 1 12/6/2017 What is a poison? • Any substance which has a harmful effect on a living system • “All substances are poisons; there is none which is not a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison and a remedy.” • Paracelsus (1493–1541) What does a Forensic Toxicologist do? • Answers the question: “Have alcohol, drugs or poisons played a role in a death or crime?” 2 12/6/2017 Classification of poisons – according to chemical properties • Acidic – Ibuprofen • Basic – Amphetamine • Neutral – Steroids Classification of drugs – according to effect • Stimulants – MDMA – Cocaine • Analgesics – Opioids – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) e.g. ibuprofen • Antidepressants 3 12/6/2017 Classification of drugs – according to route • Inhalation • Insufflation • Injection – IV, IM, subcutaneous • Oral – sublingual • Dermal Drugs of abuse • Any substance, because of some desirable effect, is used for some purpose other than that intended. – Solvents • Any substance the possession or supply of which is restricted by law because of its potential harmful effect on the user. – Licit and illicit drugs 4 12/6/2017 Lets talk about 1 class of compounds • Stimulants……. Amphetamine 5 12/6/2017 Origin • Synthetic (1900s) • Made from phenyl-2-propanone Active ingredients • (S)-isomer is more potent (racemic) Appearance • White powder (sulphate or hydrochloride salt) • Occasionally pills Methamphetamine 6 12/6/2017 Origin • Synthetic (1960s) • Made from pseudoephedrine Active ingredients • (S)-isomer abused/used for ADHD (Desoxyn®) • (R)-isomer is a decongestant in the USA Appearance • White crystalline powder (hydrochloride salt) Levomethamphetamine Methamphetamine 7 12/6/2017 Ecstasy Origin • Synthetic (1914) • Made from safrole/isosafrole Active ingredient • 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine Appearance • Brightly coloured pills with logos • Crystals 8 12/6/2017 Cocaine 9 12/6/2017 Origin • South America • India Active ingredients • Cocaine, crunch Appearance • White powder (hydrochloride salt) • White pellets (free base) Names • Coke/Charlie or crack/rocks, proper Administration • Snorting, IV • Smoking (‘crackles’) • Topical Legislation • Class A, not prescribed in the UK 10 12/6/2017 Khat Origin • East Africa • Arabian Peninsula Active ingredient • Cathinone Appearance • Leaves, tea or tincture 11 12/6/2017 Names • Chat, quat Administration • Oral Legislation • Both plant and active ingredient are Class C (Khat as of June 2014) Cathinones Origin • Synthetic • Research chemicals/bath salts/aroma liquids Appearance • Crystalline powders Legislation • Cathinones – Class B • Methcathinone – Class A 12 12/6/2017 Active ingredients 4-MEC Pentylone α-PVP (flakka) Ethcathinone 28th August 2015 Mexedrone Buphedrone Legal Butylone MDPV Mephedrone Methylone Names • Meow meow, M-cat, Mollies Administration • Oral – Dissolved/bombing – Tablets – Aroma liquid • IV • Smoking • Snorting (sold as cocaine) 13 12/6/2017 Other stimulants Caffeine Origin • Africa • Asia Appearance • White crystals • Consumed orally as tea/coffee or tablets Legislation • Uncontrolled 14 12/6/2017 Nicotine Origin • Americas • Australia/Pacific Appearance • Dried tobacco leaves • Smoked Legislation • Uncontrolled (must be 18 to purchase cigarettes) Developing the discussion process (1 hour) • Everyone contributed well to the session on day 6 – lets now look at some other parts of group work • In your groups of 4, subdivide the following tasks between different co- workers – Post mortem re-distribution – Concentrations and some effects associated with toxicity – Assessment of this drug’s effect on society – A simple summary of metabolism • Investigate a chemical or drug that is mainly used as a drug of abuse • Again we can summarise on the board, this time on the sub - topics • You will try and ask other groups some questions 15.