NARCOTICS RECOGNITION

Agent Aaron WilkieJefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office

Narcotics and

Dangerous Drugs

Captain Paul Kohles, DDRA

Louisiana Wing

Drug Demand Reduction Program

Captain Paul Kohles, DDRA

• Retired Detective, Forensic Investigator • Crime Scene Investigator• Community Police Detective• Army Combat Veteran• Military Police Investigator.

CLASSES OF DRUGS

• Alcohol• Marijuana• Stimulants• Inhalants• Hallucinogens• Opiates• Depressants

ALCOHOLThe world’s number one psychoactive drugA social lubricantAddition to a fine meal“Demon Rum”

Cause of many traffic accidents/murders and suicides2/3 of present-day Americans drink alcoholAlcohol, Marijuana and Tobacco are considered

to be gateway drugs

MARIJUANA

• Active Ingredient = Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

• One marijuana cigarette per day for one year will require ten years to rid the body of the THC

Early stages of marijuana growth. After seed sprouts, plant has 4 leaves, two serrated and two rounded. Under ideal conditions, healthy plant may grow several inches every day

Two types of false containers with screw-on lids available in paraphernalia stores

METHODS OF USE

• Cigarettes (rolled)• Blunts (cigars)• Various pipes• Brownies

EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA

• Altered depth perception and peripheral vision

• Increase in heart rate• Time perception is altered - slows greatly• Euphoria - sense of well being• Heightened awareness to sound• Decreased reaction time

• Impairment of short term memory• Dilated (enlarged) pupils and reddening of the

whites of the eyes• Sedative properties• Analgesia (feeling of no or little pain)• Hallucinations (at high doses)

STIMULANTS

• Legitimate uses– Treatment of narcolepsy– Local anesthetic (cocaine)– Hyperkinetic children (Ritalin)– Diet Control– Relieves fatigue– All have stimulation and then depression -

depression is longer than stimulation

COCAINE

• A powerful stimulant found in the leaf of the coca plant

• Legitimate uses– Local anesthetic in surgical procedures with

eye/nose /throat surgeries– Occasionally used in relieving congestion– Hayfever– Laryngitis– To abort hemorrhages from the nose and throat

Cocaine and commonly used cuts with a similar appearance. (Many substances cut to increase the seller’s profits)

METHODS OF USE

• Inhale through the nostrils• Injected under the skin or into the

bloodstream• Dissolved in water, heated and smoked in a

pipe• Freebasing– Cocaine is mixed with ether and baking soda and

heated - the result is a purer form of cocaine, which is then smoked in a pipe

EFFECTS OF COCAINE

• Increased blood pressure and heart rate• Body temperature increases due to

stimulating muscular actions• Euphoria• Energy• Confidence• Effects felt with 3 - 5 minutes - last

approximately 60 minutes

CRACK COCAINE AND

METHAMPHETAMINE“JUST SAY NO!!!!”

QUOTE: NANCY REAGAN

Crack, almost always seen as an off-white or yellowish-white solid; often described as looking like chunks of soap or plaster

A larger ziplock plastic bag containing several rocks. Street value of this bag is about $500.00

Methamphetamine

METHODS OF USE

• Smoked by heating crack and inhaling vapors

• Dissolved in lemon juice (acid) and injected

An assortment of glass pipes used for smoking crack; often used to heat the side of the pipe bowl to vaporize the drug

Crack can be smoked in a glass pipe, in an empty aluminum can, or by any similar means where heat can be indirectly applied to vaporize the drug

Many users employ makeshift items to use drugs. Here, part of a hollow radio antenna is used as a crack pipe; small amount of steel wool placed in one end

to hold the drug

EFFECTS OF CRACKAND

METHAMPHETAMINE• Increased blood pressure and heart rate• Body temperature increases due to stimulating muscular

actions• Euphoria• Energy• Confidence• Effects felt immediately and last approximately 15 - 20

minutes for crack/ several hours for methamphetamine• Highly addictive• Severe withdrawals

MDMA (ECSTASY)

• Method of Use

– Taken orally

MDMA (ECSTASY)

• Patented-1914 by the pharmaceutical company Merck.

• Classified as a controlled dangerous substance

since 1985.

– Taken orally

MDMA (ECSTASY)

• Releases all of the body’s serotonin into the bloodstream at once.

• Medication was once used by therapists for psychological and psychiatric treatment.

• The argument exists in the psychology/psychiatric community that MDMA is a useful tool and poses no threat to humans if administered properly.

EFFECTS OF MDMA

• Stimulant effects which can last up to 24 hours

• Possible hallucinogenic effects• Thirst• “Rave Drug”

INHALANTS

METHODS OF USE

• Sniffing volitile solvents through nose of mouth– Gasoline– Rush– Glue– Nitrous Oxide (NO2) (Laughing gas)

EFFECTS OF INHALANTS

• Affects Brain and Central Nervous System• Inhalants can Kill• Most users are Adolescents

DAMAGE TO CNS CAN LEAD TO :

• Impaired Perception• Impaired Reasoning• Memory Loss• Defective Muscular Coordination• Dimentia

HALLUCINOGENS

LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE(LSD)

METHODS OF USE

• Liquid dropped in eyes

• Absorbed through saliva– Blotter paper, “Sweet Tarts”, sugar cubes

Most LSD seen on the street is in the form of blotter (absorbent) paper. Sheets are perforated into small squares and dipped into LSD, dissolved and diluted in

ethyl alcohol.

LSD being ingested via blotter paper on the tongue. In this manner produces an effect within 30-60 minutes, lasting 5-12 hours

EFFECTS OF LSD

• Affects central nervous system• Produces perceptual alteration• Intense varying emotional changes• Not physically addictive - psychologically

addictive• Flashbacks

Users report “hearing colors and seeing sounds”

OPIATES

HEROIN

A folded sheet of aluminum used to hold a small amount of heroin, referred to in many areas as a “deck”.

METHODS OF USE

• Inhaled through the nostrils

• Injected under the skin or into the bloodstream

• Smoked (unusual)

EFFECTS OF HEROIN

• Onset of effects are rapid and produce intense euphoria

• Rapid tolerance• Physical and psychological dependence• Initial feeling is intense exhilaration (rush)• First emotional reaction is easing of tension

and relief from fears and anxiety

• “Nod out”• Sensual perception becomes dim• Gives tranquil pleasant state of lethargy and

drowsiness which can last for several hours• Severe withdrawals

DEPRESSANTS

• Categories of depressants– Hypnotic - producing or inducing sleep– Sedatives - producing a relaxed state that can lead to sleep– Tranquilizers - relief from anxiety, relaxation of muscles,

calming without sleep or drowsiness

• Effects of depressants– Affect central nervous system by decelerating its activity

Hydromorphone (dillaudid)

Methadone

OXYCONTIN-- 10 times more potent than hydrocodone

GHB

GHB

• GHB slows down the Central Nervous System, and has the same effect(s) as ingesting a large amount of alcohol.

• In the 1980’s, GHB was available as a body building supplement.

• A teaspoon ingested may get you high, a tablespoon may kill you.

• All toxic traces of GHB leave the body within 24 hrs.

Chemical relative of PCP, Ketalar. Most common way of ingestion is through injection, but may be evaporated and snorted “Special K”

Shaped similar to bowling pin and are broken in two around the thin part of neck by finger pressure, allowing contents to be drawn in syringe.

several illegally produced counterfeit steroids, all professionally packaged and look authentic; few contain active ingredient

Anabolic Steroids - unique among controlled drugs in that they are not psychoactive. (pictured: 26 available in capsules)

LEGEND DRUGS

• Prescribed narcotics, but not controlled– Most common legend drug is Soma

soma

POISON CONTROL

• 1-318-342-1710• 1-800-256-9822

Questions?

Captain Paul Kohles, CAPDDRA Louisiana Wing