Starting Presentation

by
PROF. JERRY P. ALQUIZAR
“Drug is defined as a natural or synthetic
substance that is used to produce
physiological or psychological effects in
humans or other higher order animals.”
Modern Context:
1. Drugs mean something different to each
person.
2. Drugs are the necessity for sustaining and
prolonging life.
3. Drugs provide an escape from the pressures
of life.
4. Drugs are the means of ending life.
Legal Basis

R.A. 9165 – Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs

Act of 2002

P.D. 1619 – volatile substances

R.A. 6425 – Classification of regulated and

prohibited drugs
R.A. 9561 – an act instituting the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
repealing R.A. 6425 otherwise known as the
Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972 as amended.
Took its effect on July 4, 2002.

DDB – Dangerous Drugs Board, the policy-

making and strategy-formulating body in the
planning and formulation of policies and
programs on drug prevention and control.
PDEA – Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, serves
as the implementing arm of the board, and shall
be responsible for the efficient and effective law
enforcement of all the provisions on any
dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and
essential chemical as provided in R.A. 9165.

Clandestine Laboratory – any facility used for the

illegal manufacture of any dangerous drug and/or
controlled precursor and essential chemical.
Classification of Drugs According to Origin
natural drugs – active ingredients, metabolic
products of plants and other systems that may
be isolated by extraction.
ex. Raw opium, marijuana, coca bush

synthetic drugs – artificially produced

substances, synthesized in the laboratory for
the illicit market, which are wholly
manufactured from chemical compounds in illicit
laboratory.
ex. Methamphetamine, barbiturates
According to Legal Classification
Immediate Precursors – chemical substance
used in the clandestine manufacturing
process becomes incorporated in full or in
part into the final molecules of a substance
under international control.
Essential Chemicals – chemical substances as
reagent or solvent in the illegal manufacture
of controlled substances.
Narcotic, psychotropic and designer
According to International Classification
Narcotic substances - substances that bring relief from
pain and produce sleep.
Psychotropic substances - chemical substance that
crosses the blood–brain barrier and acts primarily
upon the central nervous system it affects brain
function, resulting in alterations in perception, mood,
consciousness, cognition, and behavior.
designer drugs - a synthetic version of a controlled
substance (as heroin) that is produced with a
slightly altered molecular structure to avoid having
it classified as an illicit drug artificially made for
pleasure.
According to Pharmacological Classification (Effects)
Stimulants – drugs which increase alertness of
physical disposition. Ex. shabu
Hallucinogens – drugs which affect sensation,
thinking, self-awareness and emotion. Ex.
Ecstacy, marijuana
Depressants – drugs which depress or lower the
functions of the CNS. Ex. Barbiturates, alcohol
Inhalants – any liquid, solid, or mixed substance
that has the property of releasing toxic
(psychoactive) vapors or fumes. Ex. Solvent,
gasoline
Dangerous Drugs
Prohibited drugs - drugs that there use is not
allowed by law.
Regulated drugs - drugs that there use is allowed
by law but requires a prescription from
authorities.
Volatile substances – liquid, solid, or mixed
substances having the property of releasing toxic
vapors or fumes which when sniffed, smelled,
inhaled, or introduced into the physiological
system of the body produce or induce a
condition of intoxication, excitement, etc.
Stimulants
1. amphetamines
2. cocaine
3. shabu
Amphetamines – group of synthetic drugs that
stimulate the CNS
Street names: uppers, speed, eye opener, lid
proppers, pep pills, hearts
Characteristics: reduces appetite, relieves mental
depression, comfort fatigue and sleepiness
General Effects: weakfulness, increased alertness or
initiative
Toxic Effects: restlessness, coma, death
Administration: oral as tablet or capsule
Dangers: dependence, overdose, violent behavior
Cocaine – a drug extracted from the leaves of
Erythroxylon coca.
General Effects: increased alertness and vigor,
suppression of hunger, fatigue and boredom
Toxic Effects: depression, anxiousness,
pleasureless
Administration: commonly sniffed or snorted

Crack – popular form of cocaine mixed with

baking soda and water.
Shabu – Methamphetamine Hydrochloride
Street Names: poor man’s cocaine, S, shabs, ubas, siopao,
sha, ice
Characteristics: white odorless crystal or crystalline powder
with a bitter numbing taste
Administration: ingestion, inhalation (chasing the dragon),
sniffing, injection, smoked
General Effects: anxiety, irritability, irrational behavior
Long Term Effects: psychosis, difficulty in concentrating,
loss of interest in sex
Physical Effects: chest pain, irregular heartbeat,
hypertension, convulsion, death
Dangers: injection from contaminated needles may lead to
risk of infections, AIDS, etc
Hallucinogens
1. marijuana
2. LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)
3. ecstacy
Marijuana – a preparation derived from the plant Cannabis sativa L.
(Indian hemp)
Street Names: Mary Jane, flower, pampapogi, brownies, damo,
pot, tea, joint, dope
Characteristics: looks like fine green tobacco
Hallucinogenic substance: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
Administration: smoked in pipes or cigarettes, taken in food, made
into candy, sniffed in powder form, mixed with honey or butter
Intermediate Effects: faster heartbeat, bloodshot eyes, dry mouth
Long Term Effects: chest pain, temporary loss of fertility, cancer,
marijuana burnout
Dangers: slows down mental and psychomotor activities, long
term use may lead to psychological dependence, may lead to
cancer
LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) – synthesized from lysergic
acid, a substance derived from ergot, a fungus that attacks
certain grasses and grains.
Street Names: Lucy in the sky ith diamonds, edding bells,
acid, white sugar, lightning, cubes, brain eaters
Characteristics: odorless, tasteless, colorless
Psychological Effects: vivid hallucinations, confusion,
blurring and distinction between conscious and
unconscious thought
Physical Effects: dilated pupils, flushed face, increased
blood pressure
Dangers: cause abnormal breakage of chromosomes of
WBC that carry genes, which results to miscarriages and
birth defects.
Ecstacy – Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
Street names: x, rave, love drug, flying saucer, LBD,
libido, jagged little pill, artist drug, MDA, MDEA, dance
drug
Administration: swallowing, inhalation
Effects: exaggerated emotions, increase heart rate and
blood pressure, dries the mouth, stiffens arms, legs
and jaw, dilates pupils of the eyes, causes faintness,
chills sweating and nausea
Dangers: can really kill!
Depressants
1. narcotics
2. tranquilizers
3. sedatives and hypnotics
Narcotic Drugs

Substances that bring relief from pain and

produce sleep.

From Greek word “narkotikos” which implies a

state of lethargy or sluggishness.

Known as analgesics, they relieve pain by

exerting a depressing action in the CNS.
Opium
- source of most analgesic
narcotics
- brownish in color with
morphine content of 4-
21 percent
- a gummy, milky juice
exuded through a cut
made in the unripe pod
of the poppy (Papaver
somniferium)
Kinds of Opium
1. Raw
2. Prepared
3. Granulated
4. Powdered
5. Medicinal preparation – ex. Cough Syrup
Narcotic Drugs
1. Morphine
2. Heroin
3. Codeine
4. OxyContin
5. Methadone
Morphine
An analgesic and narcotic drug obtained from
opium and used medicinally to relieve pain.

A bitter crystalline alkaloid, C17H19NO3·H2O,

extracted from opium, the soluble salts of
which are used in medicine as an analgesic, a
light anesthetic, or a sedative.
Heroin
An opium derivative known as diacetyl morphine, a
white powder with a bitter taste.

Made by simply reacting morphine with acetic

anhydride or acetyl chloride.

Highly soluble in water.

Effect is instanttaneously felt and with maximum

sensitivity when injected
Kinds of Heroin
1. Tar to brown powder
2. White to gray powder
3. White powder
4. Injectable heroin (65-95%)
Codeine or 3-methylmorphine 
A naturally occurring methylated morphine), or "Cough
Syrup“

An opiate used for its analgesic, antitussive,

 antidiarrheal, antihypertensive,
anxiolytic, antidepressant, sedative and hypnotic properties.

Also used to suppress

premature labor contractions, myocardial infarction, and
has many other potential and indicated uses.

Often sold as a salt in the form of either codeine

sulfate orcodeine phosphate.
OxyContin
Used to treat moderate to severe pain that is expected to last for an extended period of time.
Methadone
Also known as Symoron, Dolophine, Amidone,
Methadose, Physeptone, Heptadon and many
other names

A synthetic opioid used medically as

an analgesic and a maintenance anti-addictive and
reductive preparation for use by patients
with opioid dependency.

Developed in Germany in 1937.

Tranquilizers – substances that reduce anxiety,
ease tension and induce sleep.
Major Tranquilizers: reserpine,
chlorpromazine
Mild Tranquilizers: meprobamate (Miltown),
chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (valium)
Effect: long term use can lead to psychological
and physical dependence
Sedatives and Hypnotics – calm the nerves,
reduce tension, and induce sleep.
Examples: Alcohol (ethyl alcohol), barbiturates
Effects of Alcohol
• higher doses cause high irritability and
emotion, displays anger and crying
• extremely high doses may cause lapse into
unconsciousness or even into a comatose
state that may be prelude to a fatal depression
of CS and RS functions
Effects of Barbiturates
• Relax, create a feeling of well-being, and
produce sleep

Street Names
downers, barbs, yellow jackets, blue devils,
reds
EXAMINATION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS

“Drug testing is a form of forensic testing.

Drug test results issued should be
scientifically, legally, and forensically
defensible.”
Drug Identification – is a branch of forensic chemistry that deals
with the scientific examination of drugs and volatile substances.
Who will conduct drug identification?
Forensic Chemist/Chemical Officer

What are the specimens to be submitted for

examination?
Body fluids: blood, urine
Paraphernalia: pipes, tooters, syringes, aluminum foils
Forms of Dangerous Drugs
tablets
Capsules
Liquid
Powder
Bricks or decks of marijuana
Crushed leaves
Uprooted plants
Methods of Examination
1. qualitative examination
2. quantitative examination
Steps
1. selection of method to be used
2. physical test
3. sampling
4. sample preparation
5. chemical test
6. calculation and interpretation of dates
7. drawing of conclusion and writing report
Stages in the Examination
1. screening test/preliminary test
(color test)
2. confirmatory test
Primary Color Tests
1. Marquis Test
2. Dillie-Koppanyi Test
3. Duquenois-Levine Test
4. Van Urk Test
5. Scott Test
Marquis Test
- 2% formaldehyde in sulfuric acid
- color reactions:
violet to reddish – presence heroine and
morphine
- most opium derivatives
orange to brown – amphetamines and
methamphetamines
orange - mescaline
Dillie-Koppanyi Test
- 1% cobalt acetate in methanol, first added to
the suspected material followed by 5%
isopropylamine in methanol
- color reaction:
reddish purple – presence of barbiturates
Duquenois-Levine Test
- solution A: mixture of 2% vanillin and 1%
acetaldehyde in ethyl alcohol
- solution B: concentrated hydrochloric acid
(HCl)
- solution C: chloroform
- valuable color test for marijuana by adding
solutions A, B, and C.
- color reaction:
purple or violet – positive result for marijuana
Van Urk
- 1% solution of p-
dimethylaminobenzaldehyde in 10%
concentrated HCl and ethyl alcohol
- color reaction:
blue to purple – presence of LSD
Scott Test
- solution A: 2% cobalt thiocyanate dissolved in
water and glycerine (1:1)
- solution B: concentrated HCl
- solution C: chloroform
- color test for cocaine
- color reaction:
blue – upon addition of solution A
from blue to pink – upon addition of solution B
from pink to blue again – upon addition of
solution C
Other Color Tests
1. Fast Blue B Salt – purple red, presence of
marijuana
2. Cobalt thiocyanate Test (CT Test) – blue, presence
of cocaine, methaqualone, and phencyclidine
3. Wagner Test – brown, presence of cocaine
4. Zimmerman Test – reddish purple or pink,
presence of diazepam
5. HCl – yellow, presence of diazepam
6. Vitali-Morin Test – yellow orange, presence of
diazepam
Other Color Tests
7. Ferric Sulfate – brownish purple, presence of
opium
8. Mecke – blue to green, presence of opium,
codeine and heroin
9. Nitric Acid – orange to red to yellow, presence
of opium; orange to yellow, presence of codeine;
yellow to green, presence of heroin
10. Simon Test – blue, presence of
methamphetamine and ecstacy
11. Ehrlich Test – violet, presence of LSD
12. Liebermann Test – black, presence of mescaline
Shutting down