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THE GLOBAL DRUG SCENE

1. FIRST IMPORTANT DRUG TRAFFIC ROUTE

MIDDLE EAST - discovery, plantation, cultivation, harvest.

TURKEY - preparation for distribution

EUROPE - manufacture, synthesis, refine

U.S . - marketing

2. SECOND MAJOR DRUG TRAFFIC ROUTE

 o    GOLDEN TRIANGLE- 2nd biggest producer of opium

a. Burma (Myanmar)

b. Laos

c. Thailand

d. Vietnam

Produces:        60% Opium – World

                        90% Opium – East Asia

South East Asia

- the golden triangle approximately produce 60%  of opium in the world, 90% of opium in
the eastern part of Asia. It is also acknowledged source of Southeast Asian Heroin.

o    GOLDEN CRESCENT

– no. 1 producer of opium

a. Iran – major exporter of heroin

b. Afghanistan

c. Pakistan

+ d. India

                      Southwest Asia

            - the Golden Crescent is the major supplier of opium poppy, MJ, heroin products in
the western part of Asia. It produces at least 85% to 90% of all elicit heroin channeled in the
drug underworld market.
3. THE WORLD'S DRUG SCENE

1. LATIN-AMERICAN COUNTRIES

– Colombian Medellin Cartel, Cali Cartel, Peru, are the biggest producer in the world. It
includes Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.

 2. MIDDLE EAST

Becka Valley of Lebanon

- is considered to be the biggest producer of cannabis in the Middle East.

Lebanon

- also became the transit country for cocaine from South America to European illicit drug
markets.

 3. SPAIN

- known as the major transshipment point for international drug traffickers in Europe.

- “the paradise of drug users”  in Europe.

 4. SOUTH AMERICA

- Columbia, Peru, Uruguay, and Panama are the principal sources of all cocaine supply in the
World due to the robust production of coca plants- sources of the cocaine drug.

 5. MEXICO

- is known in the world to be the number one producer of marijuana (cannabis sativa).

 6. PHILIPPINES

 - second to Mexico as to the production of marijuana.

- became the major transshipment point for the worldwide distribution of illegal drugs
particularly shabu and cocaine from Taiwan and South America.

- known as “the drug paradise of drug abusers” in Asia.

CORDILLERA – biggest producer of Marijuana in the Philippines

 7. INDIA

- is the center of worlds drug map, leading to rapid addiction among its people.

 8. INDONESIA

Northern Sumatra  has traditionally been the main cannabis growing area in Indonesia.

Bali Indonesia  is an important transit point for drugs en route to Australia and new Zealand.
 9. SMT (SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA, THAILAND)

- is the most favorable sites of drug distribution from the golden triangle and other parts of
Asia.

10. CHINA

- is the transit route for heroin from the golden triangle to Hong Kong.

- where the ‘epedra’ plant is cultivated – source of the drug ephedrine – the principal
chemical for producing the drug shabu.

 11. HONGKONG

- is the world’s transshipment point of all forms of heroin.

 12. JAPAN

– became the major consumer of cocaine and shabu from the U.S and Europe.

4. THE ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS BEHIND THE GLOBAL DRUG SCENE

a. COLOMBIAN MEDELLIN CARTEL

- founded during the 1980’s by Colombian  drug lords in the name of Pablo Escobar
Gaviria  and drug bosses Jose Gonzalo Rodriguez  Gacha    and the top aid cocaine
barons Juan David and the Ochoa Brothers.

- The Medellin Cartel is reputedly responsible for organizing world’s drug trafficking
network.

 b. CALI CARTEL

- the downfall of the Medellin Cartel is the  rise of the Cali Cartel- the newly emerged
cocaine monopoly.

- the cartel produces over 90% of cocaine    in the world.

- It was called the best and the brightest of the modern underworld.

“They are professionals of the highest order, intelligent,  efficient,  imaginative, and nearly
impenetrable”- US- Drug Enforcement  Agency.

 c. CHINESE TRIAD

- also called the Chinese Mafia is the oldest and biggest criminal organization in the world.

- It is believe to be the controller of the “Golden Triangle” with international connections on


drug trafficking.

5. DRUG SYNDICATES

FILIPINO-CHINESE DRUG SYNDICATES


-are groups responsible in smuggling shabu into the country.

Most drug couriers use Hong Kong and Taiwan as their embarkation points for the
Philippines.

And recently, intelligence reports reveal that large quintets of shabu are smuggled in the
country directly from mainland China through commercial airlines and ocean-sea vessels.

 Binondo-based Chinese Syndicate has been identified as the nucleus of the Triad Society.

Bamboo Gang based in Taiwan

14K based in Hongkong

            The most common “modus operandi”  by the syndicates – posing as fishermen along
Philippine seas, particularly, the northern provinces of Luzon such as La Union, Ilocos, and
Pangasinan where they drop their loads of shabu to shoreline based members. The
syndicates are famously involved in marijuana cultivation and other drug smuggling
including drug manufacture.

 F. THE DRUG CHAIN 

1. PRODUCTION – this pertains to the planting, growing, and harvesting of plants, which
are the sources of raw materials in the manufacture of precursors and/or dangerous drugs.

 2. PROCESSING – comes into play after harvesting the plants in the production link.

 3. TRAFFICKING – pertains to the surreptitious movement and delivery of dangerous


drugs from the clandestine laboratories to the wholesale markets.

 4. FINANCING - pertains to the surreptitious movement and delivery of dangerous


drugs in big amounts of cash.

5. RETAILING – is the fifth link which involved the selling or pushing of drugs in small
quantities to the end-users at the street or grass root level.

 6. CONSUMPTION – refers to the actual use of the drugs by the end-users through
injection, inhalation or smoking.

1. DANGEROUS DRUGS: DEFINED

Dangerous drugs refer to the broad categories or classes of controlled substances.


Controlled substances are generally grouped according to their pharmacological
classifications, effects and as to their legal criteria.

2. GENERAL DRUG CLASSIFICATION:

A.    ACCORDING TO EFFECTS:

a. Depressants (DOWNERS)

– are group of drugs that has the effect of depressing the central nervous system.
 b. Stimulants (UPPERS)

– are group of drugs having the effect of stimulating the central nervous system.

 c. Hallucinogens (PSYCHEDELICS)

– are group of drugs that are considered to be mind altering drugs and give the general
effect of mood distortion.

3. ACCORDING TO MEDICAL PHARMACOLOGY

1.     Depressants

2.     Narcotics

3.     Tranquillizers

4.     Stimulants

5.     Hallucinogens

6.     Solvents

4. LEGAL CATEGORIES (In accordance to R.A 6425)

1. PROHIBITED DRUGS

a. Narcotics

- refers to the group of the drug opium and its derivatives

– i.e. opium, morphine, heroin, codeine, etc.

 b. Stimulants

– i.e. cocaine, alpha and beta eucaine, etc.

c. Hallucinogens

- i.e. marijuana, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), mescaline

 2. REGULATED DRUGS

a. Barbiturates

-depressant drugs

- i.e. Luminal, Veronal, Amytal, Nembutal, Surital, Gernyl, Butisol, Penthotal, etc.

 b. Hypnotics
-sleep inducing drugs

- i.e. Mandrax, Quaalude, Fadomer, etc.

 c.Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (Shabu) and Amphetamines

-stimulant drugs

– i.e. Benzedrine, Dexedrine, Preludin, etc.

 3.  Volatile Substances (solvents/Inhalants/Delirants)

– The group of liquid, solid or mixed substances having the property of releasing toxic
vapors of fumes which when sniffed, smelled, inhaled, or introduce into the physiological
system of the body produces or induces a condition of intoxication, excitement, or dulling
of the brain or nervous system.

Examples of these drugs are: Glue (teardrops), Gasoline, Kerosene, Ether, Paint, Thinner,
Lacquer, etc.

5. CLASSIFICATION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS (According to Effects)

 DEPRESSANTS (Downers)

-          These are drugs that suppress vital body functions especially those of brain or
Central Nervous System, resulting to impairment of judgment, hearing, speech and muscle
coordination.

-          They dull the minds, slow down the body reactions to such extent that accidental
deaths and suicides usually happen.

-          These drugs decrease both the mental and the physical activities of the body.

-          They cause depression, relieve pain, induce sedation or sleep and suppress cough.

5.1. NARCOTICS
-  Are drugs, which relieve pain and produce profound sleep or stupor.

-  Medically, they are potent painkillers, cough depressants and as an active component of
anti-diarrhea preparations.

-  Opium and its derivatives are classified as narcotics.

5.2. OPIUM
2. OPIUM

-  Derived from poppy plant- Papaver Somniferum popularly known as “gum”, “gamot”,
“kalamay”, or “panocha”.

-  is a narcotic analgesic drug which is obtained from the unripe seed pods of the opium
poppy

-  A plant that can grow from 3-6 ft in height originally in Mesopotamia.
-  Its active ingredient is the “meconic acid”- the analgesic property.

 Stages Showing the Effect of Opium

a. Stage of Excitement

– increase of mental activity, restlessness, and even hallucination.

 b. Stage of Stupor

– person becomes quiet, having lethargy and can go to sleep.

 c. Stage of Narcosis

– individual feels so relaxed, asleep, muscles flexible. Stage of Respiratory Depression.

5.3. MORPHINE
-  first isolated in 1804.

-  Used for pain relief and as a cure for opium and alcohol addiction.

-  Most commonly used and best used opiate.

-  It is effective as a pain killer six times potent than opium, with a high dependence –
producing potential. It is an extremely powerful opiate analgesic drug, the principal active
ingredient of opium.

-  Morphine exerts action characterized by analgesia, drowsiness, mood changes, and


mental clouding.

-  Most commonly used and best used opiate.

-  Effective as painkiller six times potent than the opium, with high dependence-producing
potential.

-  Exerts action characterized by analgesia, drowsiness, mood changes, and mental clouding.

 FRIEDRICH ADAM WILHELM SERTURNER

– he discovered the active ingredient of opium by dissolving it in acid.

Then neutralize in with ammonia. The result – alkaloids Principium Somniferum – Morphine
– lauded as “God’s own medicine” for its reliability and long lasting effects.

5.4. HEROIN ( CHASING THE DRAGON)


-  Three to five times more powerful than morphine from which it is derived and the most
addicting opium derivative.

-  also known as diamorphine or diacetylmorphine, is a semi-synthetic opoid

-  Street names:

-  ‘Big H’, ‘Black Tar’, ‘Brown Sugar’


-  -Synthesized in 1874 as anesthetic. It was first Controlled in 1914.

-  With continued use, addiction occurs within 14 days.

-  Maybe sniffed or swallowed but it is usually injected in the veins.

5.5. CODEINE (SCHOOL BOY)


-  Is a derivative of morphine, commonly available in cough preparations.

-  These cough medicines have been widely abused by the youth whenever hard narcotics
are difficult to obtain.

-  Withdrawal symptoms are less severe than other drugs.

5.4. HEROIN ( CHASING THE DRAGON)


-  Three to five times more powerful than morphine from which it is derived and the most
addicting opium derivative.

-  also known as diamorphine or diacetylmorphine, is a semi-synthetic opoid

-  Street names:

-  ‘Big H’, ‘Black Tar’, ‘Brown Sugar’

-  -Synthesized in 1874 as anesthetic. It was first Controlled in 1914.

-  With continued use, addiction occurs within 14 days.

-  Maybe sniffed or swallowed but it is usually injected in the veins.

5.5. CODEINE (SCHOOL BOY)


-  Is a derivative of morphine, commonly available in cough preparations.

-  These cough medicines have been widely abused by the youth whenever hard narcotics
are difficult to obtain.

-  Withdrawal symptoms are less severe than other drugs.

5.6. PAREGORIC
-  A tincture of opium in combination with camphor.

-  Commonly used as a household remedy for diarrhea and abdominal pain.

5.7. DEMEROL
- it is widely used as a pain killer in child birth.

- may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including other pain
relievers, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives, antidepressants, anxiety medicines and muscle
relaxants.
- maybe habit forming. Physical and psychological dependence can occur, and withdrawal
effects are possible if medication is stopped suddenly after prolonged or high-dose
treatment.

5.8. METHADONE
- is the drug of choice in the withdrawal treatment of heroin dependents since it relieves the
physical craving for heroin.

-a synthetic opoid, used medically as an analgesic and in the treatment of narcotic


addiction.

-It was first synthesized in 1937 by the pharmacological company Eli Lily and company

- it was first synthesized in 1937 by German scientists Max Bockmuhl and Gustav Ehrhart at
IG Farben during their search for an analgesic that would be easier to use during surgery
than morphine.

5.9. DILAUDID (Drug store heroin)


- available as a rectal suppository, in pill form, or as a cough syrup.

- This is purported to be from two to four times as powerful than morphine or equal.

- It’s duration of effects is half that of morphine.

5.10. HYCODAN
- This is a white powder derived from codeine and has same chemical relationship to
codeine that dilaudid has to morphine.

- This comes both as cough syrup and a white tablet and can be substituted by the addict
when heroin is unavailable.

5.11. PERCODAN
This is a white powder derived also from codeine and commonly prescribed for the relief of
pain.

5.12. DEMEROL
- This is a synthetic narcotic commonly prescribed for the relief of pain and for sedation
purposes.

- This drug does not have the strength of morphine and causes fewer problems such as
nausea, constipation and vomiting.

5.13. DARVON
This is one of the most popular pain medications.

5.14. BARBITURATES
-  Drugs used for inducing sleep in persons plagued with anxiety, mental stress, and
insomnia.

-  Used also in treatment of epilepsy and hypertension.

-  Available in capsules, pills, or tablets and taken orally and injected.


-  drugs that acts as central nervous system depressants derived from barbituric acid, a
combination of urea and malonic acid.

-  It was first synthesized in December 6, 1864 by German researcher ADOLF VON BAEYER.

ü  Effects:

a. ULTRA-SHORT ACTING – barbiturates produce anesthesia within one (1) minute after
use.

b. SHORT ACTING AND INTERMEDIATE ACTING – take effect within 15-40 minutes and
last up to six(6) hours.

c. LONG ACTING – take effect in an hour and last up to 12 hours; used for sedation.

5.15. SECONAL
-  Commonly used among hospitality girls.

-  Sudden withdrawal from these drugs is even more dangerous than opiate withdrawal.

-  Could result to heart and respiratory failure.

-  The dependent develop generalized convulsions and delirium, which are frequently
associated with heart and respiratory failures.

5.16. TRANQUILIZERS
-  Drugs that calm and relax and diminish anxiety.

-  Used in the treatment of nervous states and some mental disorder without producing
sleep.

-  - are dugs that calm and relax and diminish anxiety. They are used in the treatment of
nervous states in some mental disorders without producing sleep.

 Originally composed of two(2) groups:

- Major Tranquilizers – phenothiazines; and

- Minor Tranquilizers – Benzodiazepines.

5.17. INHALANTS
-  are breathable chemical vapors that produce psychoactive effects. A variety of products
common in the home and in the workplace contains substances that can be inhaled.

a. VOLATILE SOLVENTS

-  Gaseous substances popularly known to abusers as “gas”, “teardrops”.

-  Examples are plastic glues, hair spray, fingernail polish, lighter fluid, rugby, paint, thinner,
acetone, turpentine, gasoline, kerosene, varnishes and other aerosol products.

 b. AEROSOLS
  - household aerosol propellants and associated solvents in items such as spray paints, hair
or     deodorant sprays, fabric protector sprays, aerosol computer cleaning products, and
vegetable oil sprays.

 c. GASES

  - gases used in household or commercial products, including butane lighters and propane
tanks, whipping cream aerosols or dispensers, and refrigerant gases.

  d. NITRITES

- organic nitrates are volatiles that include cyclohexyl, butyl and amyl nitrites commonly as
‘Poppers’.

-volatile nitrites are usually sold in small brown bottles labeled as ‘video head cleaner’,
‘room odorizer’, ‘leather cleaner’, or ‘liquid aroma.’

5.18. ALCOHOL
- the king of all drugs with potential for abuse.
- It is considered the most widely used, socially accepted and most extensively legalized drugs    
throughout the world.
  - derived from the Arabic “al-kuhl or kohl”, a fine powder of antimony used as an eye make-up.
  - Once beverage is swallowed, it is already within the stomach; ABSORPTION starts (small intestine –
major site)

ü OXIDATION – most alcohol consumed and absorbed will be distributed; 90% alcohol + 02 = Oxidation
Process
ü ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE – a gastric enzyme that will breakdown 20% of alcohol in the stomach
before it goes to the blood stream; it acts as a catalyst in changing more alcohol to acetal dehyde =
acetic acid = H20 = CO2
ü HANG-OVER – a painful reminder of the things that we did not feel during drinking.
ü TIME – the best thing to sober a person.
ü MEOS (Microsomal Ethanol Oxidizing System)-appears to increase activity of oxidation process
n  Small Dose – Pseudo-stimulation- a person becomes active
n  Large Dose – Excitatory Synopsis – the person becomes depressed
ü  LONG TERM EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL
1. Liver Disorder
a. Hepatotoxic Effect – toxic effect of alcohol on liver tissues
b. Alcoholic Hepatitis – inflammation of the liver
c. Alcoholic Cirrhosis – shriveling and hardening of liver
2. Hypoglycemia – blood sugar is very low
3. Wernicke Korsakoff’s Syndrome – alcoholic psychosis
4. Cardiomyopathy – disease of the heart muscles
5. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – baby having withdrawal symptoms.
1. STIMULANTS

- any group of drugs that excite the central nervous system, increase alertness and alleviate
fatigue.

- They produce effects opposite to that of depressants. Instead of bringing about relaxation
and sleep, they produce increased mental alertness, wakefulness, reduce hunger, and
provide a feeling of well-being.

1.1. AMPHETAMINE
- use medically for weight reducing in obesity, relief of mild depression and treatment.
- also known as ‘Speed of Crank’, is a stimulant and club drug used to diminish the appetite,
control weight and treat disorders including narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder.

 ü  BENZEDRINE

  – first amphetamine discovered in 1887

  - it was used as inhalant for nasal congestion, and later used to treat depression,
narcolepsy, obesity, alcoholism, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, fatigue, and
hyperkinesis.

 ü  METHAMPHETAMINE (Methyl-Alphaphenylethylamine)

  - a psycho stimulant; increases alertness, concentration, energy, and in high doses, can
produce euphoria, enhance self-esteem, and increase libido.

  -has high potential for abuse and addiction by activating the psychological reward system
via triggering a cascading release of Dopamine and Norepinephrine in the brain.

PERVITIN – German trademark of methamphetamine

PHILOPON – Japanese trademark of meth

1.2. COCAINE
- the drug taken from the coca bush plant (erythroxylon coca) grows in South America. It is
usually in the form of powder that can be taken orally, injected or sniffed as to achieve in
euphoria or an intense feeling of highness.

- alkaloid obtained from leaves of coca plant and used medically as local anesthetic.

- Indigenous Peruvians once considered the Coca Plant to be divine. They named it “Khoka”
– which means “The Plant”

- 1859-1860, German scientist Albert Niemann, coined the term “cocaine” after successfully
isolating the main alkaloid of the plant.

 Three(3) Forms of Cocaine

1. COCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE

– fine white crystal-like powder which can be sniffed through the nose.

 2. FREE BASE

– purified substance of cocaine hydrochloride usually injected or smoked

 3. COCA PASTE

– crude products from coca leaves which is processed by smoke. It is dangerous for it
contains oezin and paraffin.
Crack Cocaine – smokable form of cocaine that is a powerfully addictive stimulant that
directly affects the brain

1.3. CAFFEINE
- a bitter, white crystalline, xanthine alkaloid that is a psychoactive stimulant.

- It was isolated from coffee in 1828 by German chemist FRIEDLIB FERDINAND RUNGE.

- it is present in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola drinks and some wakeup pills.

 PELLETIER

– coined the word ‘Cafiene’ which became the English word “Caffeine” noting that the drug
had been isolated from coffee.

 CHINESE EMPEROR SHEN NUNG

- accidentally discovered that when some leaves fell into boiling water, a fragrant and
restorative drink resulted.

 “CAFFEINISM”

– a condition when large amounts of caffeine are taken, and especially over extended
periods of time.

 CAFFEINE INTOXICATION/Caffeine Jitters

– caffeine overdose resulting in a central nervous system over-stimulation.

1.4. SHABU (POOR MAN’S COCAINE)


- Chemically known as methamphetamine hydrochloride. It is a central nervous system
stimulant and sometimes called upper or speed.

- It is white, colorless, crystal or crystalline powder with a bitter numbing taste.

- It can be taken orally, inhaled (snorted), sniffed (chasing the dragon ) or injected.

1.5. NICOTINE
- named after the tobacco plant “Nicotiana Tabacum”, which in turn is named after JEAN
NICOT DE VILLEMAIN, French ambassador in Portugal who sent tobacco and seeds from
Brazil to Paris in 1560.

- an active component in tobacco which acts as a powerful stimulants of the nervous


system.  A drop of pure nicotine can easily kill a person.

-nicotine’s effects are short-lived, lasting only 40 minutes to a couple of hours.

            MODE OF ADMINISTRATION

            a. Smoking
            – involves burning dried tobacco leaves available as cigarettes, cigars of pipe
tobacco. Apart from nicotine within the smoke, other noxious chemicals like cyanide are
inhaled.

             Side-Stream Smoke

             – is that when a person inhales smoke that comes out from the burning of tobacco.

             Main Stream Smoke

             – is that when a person inhales smoke while the person is smoking.

             b. Chewing and Inhaling

            – nicotine is absorbed through the mouth lining by chewing the tobacco or through
the nasal ling by sniffing dust-like tobacco particles.

   TOBACCO

  - Tobacco means the curved leaves of the tobacco plant “nicotiana tobacu” which contains
a very potent ingredient called nicotine.

1.6. MDMA (Methylene DioxyMethamphetamine)


-Ecstacy: an illicit drug considered as a recreational or party drug. It acts as both a stimulant
and a hallucinogen.

- Ecstasy achieves its high by preventing the brain from reabsorbing the chemical Serotonin,
thereby prolonging its effects in the body.

-MDMA was introduced clinically under names ADAM and EMPHATY when it was used as
psychotherapy in the late 1970’s and early mid-1980’s

 ANTON KOLLISCH

– a German chemist who first produced MDMA.

 MERCK

– German pharmaceutical company who patented MDMA.

1.7. ROHYPNOL (Flunitrazepam)


- most commonly known as date-rape drug, continues to be abused among teenagers and
young adults usually at raves and nightclubs.

- The drug remains readily available, mainly through pharmaceutical operators located in
Mexico, especially Tijuana.

-first isolated by ROCHE in 1972 Europe.

  Medical Uses: Sleep aid and anesthetic

  Drug Classification: Benzodiazepine


  Generic Name: Flunitrazepam

1. HALLUCINOGENS

- a variety of mind-altering drugs which distort reality, thinking and perception of time,
sound, space and sensation.

- The user experiences hallucination (calls perception) which at times can be strange.

- They may dislocate his consciousness and change his mood, thinking and concept of self.

 Psychedelics

- any one of a large number or natural or synthetic psychoactive drugs that produce marked
distortions of the senses and changes perception.

            - Hallucinogens generally alter the way time is perceived making it appear to slow
down.

1.1. MARIJUANA
- it is the most commonly abused hallucinogens in the Philippines because it can be grown
extensively in the country many users choose to smoke marijuana for relaxation in the same
way people drink beer or **tail at the end of the day.

-The effects of marijuana include a feeling of grandeur. It can also produce the opposite
effect, a dreamy sensation of time seeming to stretch out.

HASHISH

– a concentrated resin produced from the flowers of the female cannabis plant

HASH OIL/ BUTANE HONEY OIL (BHO)

– a mix of essential oils and resins extracted from mature cannabis foliage through the use
of various solvents.

RESIDUE/RESIN

 – a stick residue, builds up inside utensils used to smoke cannabis. Has Tar like properties.

Effects: the minimum amount of THC required to have a perceptible psychoactive effect is
about 10micrograms per kilogram of body weight.

 CLASSIFICATION OF MARIJUANA

 a. Vietnam Green

            – coming from South East Asia; twice as potent than those grown in US

 b. Acapulco Gold

– grown in Southern Mexico; may contain 2-4% THC


 c. Panama Red

– strongest of all

 Special Preparations of Marijuana

a. Hashish – pure resin coming from tops, leaves, stem of the plant. It is smoked in tobacco
pipe, the most potent of all cannabis preparations.

b. Bhang – from dried leaves and shoots added to beverage. Least potent.

c. Ganja – from the female plant, mixed in tobacco.

d. Majun – mixed with flour, butter and sugar. Sometimes added with dhatura seeds to
increase potency.

e. Reefers – dried leaves and stems are made into cigarettes and smoked

1.2. LSD (LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE)


- this drug is the most powerful of the psychedelics obtained from ergot, a fungus that
attacks rye kernels.

- LSD is 1,000 times more powerful than marijuana as supply, large enough for a trip can be
taken from the glue on the flab of an envelop, from the hidden areas inside one’s clothes.

- LSD causes perceptual changes so that user sees color, shapes or objects more intensely
than normal and may have hallucinations of things that are not real.

1.3. PEYOTE
- common name for a small, spineless, turnip-shaped cactus, native to Mexico and the
South western United States.

- the grayish mushroom-shaped tops called peyote or mescal buttons, yield nine(9)
alkaloids, of which mescaline is the principal active ingredient.

- the mescaline in these preparations alters perception, producing vivid color hallucinations,
inaccurate estimation of time and a feeling of anxiety.

- Peyote is derived from the surface part of a small gray brown cactus.

- It emits a nauseating odor and its user suffers from nausea.

- This drug causes no physical dependence and therefore, no withdrawal symptoms;


although in some cases psychological dependence has been noted.

1.4. PSILOCYBIN
- Peyote is derived from the surface part of a small gray brown cactus.

- It emits a nauseating odor and its user suffers from nausea.

- This drug causes no physical dependence and therefore, no withdrawal symptoms;


although in some cases psychological dependence has been noted.
1.5. MORNING GLORY SEEDS (Ipomea Violacea)
- The black and brown seeds of the wild tropical morning glory are used to produce
hallucinations.

- The seeds are ground into flour, soaked in cold water, then strained though a cloth and
drunk.They are sold under the names of “heavenly blues”, “flying dancers”, and “pearly
gates”.

- The active ingredient in the seed is similar to LSD although less potent. The reactions are
likened to those resulting from LSD. Prolonged psychosis is also one of its effects.

- LSA (Lysergic Acid Amide), effect of LSA can be reached with as few as 25-50 seeds,
recreational users consume 100-400 seeds.

1.6. MESCALINE
- from cactus Iophophora Williamse from Mexico.

- it is alkaloid hallucinogen extracted from the peyote cactus and can also be synthesized in
the laboratory.

- It produces less nausea than peyote and shows effects resembling those of LSD although
milder in nature.

- One to two hours after the drug is taken in a liquid or powder form, delusions begin to
occur.

1.7. DATURA
- from family of Solonaceae, can be found even in the Philippine known as” Angel’s
Trumpets.”

- a highly toxic, ingested for recreational or shomanic intoxication as the plant contains the
Tropane Alkaloids.

1.8. PCP (PHENCYLIDINE)


- general anesthetic that has become a major drug of abuse because of its potent
psychological and behavioral effects.

- Introduced in the 1950’s as a relatively non-toxic animal anesthetic, PCP has harsh side-
effects that make it unsuitable for anesthesia in humans.

-within a few years however, illegal PCP was sold as a substitute and adulterant for such
hallucinogens as LSD, mescaline and THC.

- customary users of other hallucinogens usually did not like the severe psychological
effects of PCP;

- it became popular among teenagers in the 1970’s, however, under such street names as
“Angel dust” and “hog.”

1.9. STP ( Serenity, Tranquility, and Peace)


- it is a take-off on the motor oil additive.
- It is a chemical derivative of mescaline claimed to produce more violent and longer effects
than mescaline dose.

- Its effects are similar to the nerve gas used in chemical warfare.

- It is less potent than LSD although its effects are similar to those of psychedelics.

1.10. AMANITA MUSCARIA


- psychoactive amanitas are mushrooms which contain the psychoactive chemicals ibotenic
acid and muscimol.

- They have a long history of use in Asia and Northern Europe.

- They are best known for their distinctive appearance (bright reds and yellows with white
spots).

THE THREE MOST POPULAR PLANTS AS SOURCES OF


DANGEROUS DRUGS
1. THE MARIJUANA PLANT

ü  Marijuana is a Spanish-Mexican term used to refer to the Indian hemp plant. It is a plant
that grows in tropical region and attains an approximate height of 15 to 20 ft.

ü  Scientifically named as Cannabis Sativa Lima and a member of the Cannabinaceae family


of plants (separate male/female plant), the female plant is known as the Pistillate (short but
short-lived) while the male plant is called the Staminate (taller but short-lived)

ü  Its leaves formed a fingerlike look-odd in numbers from 3 up to 13 fingerlike leaves.

ü  The stalk of the plant can attain a height of 3 to 16 ft while roots can attain a length of
approximately 8 inches.

ü  The resin called “hashish” can be found on the most top portion of the female plant.

ü  The active ingredient or alkaloid of the plant is called cannabin (the one that produces of
the plant is called cannabin)

ü  The one that produces the physiological effect or the Tetrahydrocannabinnol (THC)-


the concentrated alkaloid which is 5 to 20 times stronger then the plain marijuana plant.

ü  The means of using the drug varies from ingestion to smoking.

2. OPIUM POPPY PLANT

ü  This is scientifically known as Papaver Somniferum.

ü  The word Papaver is a Greek term which means poppy while the word Somniferum is a
Latin term which means dream/induced sleep.

ü  The plant can grow from 3 to 6 ft in height originally in Mesopotamia.


ü  The Summerians called it “Hul Gil” which means, “plant of joy” due to its joyful effect
when administered. Its active ingredient is the Meconic acid – the analgesic property.

ü  The dangerous drugs that can be derive from the plant are morphine, heroin, and
codeine.

3. THE COCA BUSH PLANT

ü  Scientifically known as Erythroxylon Coca common in South America.

ü  The plant grows in mountainous and tropical climate areas, on clay like soil.

ü  A fully-grown cultivated coca plant attains a height of 6 to 8 feet and can be harvested 3
to 4 times in a year.

ü  The dangerous drug that can be produced from this plant is the drug Cocaine- the most
powerful natural stimulant known as cocaine hydrochloride.

4. THE EPEDRA PLANT

ü  Known to the Chinese as “Ma Huang”, the Epedra plant (Ephedra Vulgaris) is a
psychoactive plant that contains psychotropic properties one of which is the alkaloid
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, an active ingredient of anti-asthma drugs used in over the
counter medications.

ü  It is also an essential chemical precursor in the production of Methamphetamine or


Amphetamine drugs.

ü  Methamphetamine Hydrochloride commonly known as “shabu” is a product derived from


this plant through chemical processes.

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