5. Abuse vs. Dependence
Abuse
Fail to fulfill major role obligations (work, school,
family)
Use substances in situations that are physically
hazardous
Legal problems
Continue use despite having recurrent interpersonal
problems
Dependence
Tolerance
Withdrawal
Take substances in larger amount over longer
period of time
Try to cut down but struggle
7. How is it made?
Plant material laced (i.e., sprayed) with synthetic
cannabinoids that claim to mimic tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in
marijuana.
First synthesized by US scientists (great job, guys…)
attempting to create a way to test people for marijuana.
9. How is it marketed and sold?
False advertising
Packages labeled as
“potpourri,” “herbal
incense,” and/or “not for
human consumption” to
avoid FDA regulatory
oversight and to mask
the intended purpose
Marketed as a “legal”
high for young people,
sometimes as an
alternative for those on
10. Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2011
(from Library of Congress;
govtrack.us)
12/8/2011—Passed House amended.
Extends the period for which the Attorney General
may temporarily schedule a substance in
Schedule I to avoid an imminent hazard to public
safety to 2 yrs.
Amends the Controlled Substances Act to add as
Schedule I controlled substances:
(1) any material, compound, mixture, or preparation
which contains specified cannabimimetric agents
(or the salts, isomers, or salts of isomers thereof);
and
(2) specified additional hallucinogenic substances
(or the salts, isomers, or salts of isomers thereof).
11. So what exactly is the law in TX?
In Texas, “General Class Ban”
on synthetic marijuana, a bill
(SB 331) that was introduced in
2011.
Texas Controlled Substances
Act (from prweb.com)
Every controlled substance
group is classified into one of
four penalty groups (PG-1, PG2, PG-3, and PG-4).
PG-1 results in the most serious
criminal penalties
PG-4 results in the least serious
criminal penalties
Synthetic marijuana is
designated as PG-2-A
“any quantity of a synthetic
compound that is a cannabinoid
receptor agonist and mimics the
effects of naturally occurring
12. News Headline:
“Teenage girl left brain
damaged and paralyzed after
smoking synthetic marijuana.”
“Synthetic Awareness for Emily
(S.A.F.E.) was founded by the family
after Emily Bauer, 17, was stricken
after smoking „potpourri.‟”
14. MDMA
AKA: disco biscuits, E, ecstasy,
Molly, roll, X
First made in Germany, 1912,
as an appetite suppressant.
3-4
methylenedioxymethamphetami
ne
MDMA is one of the drugs
identified by the National
Institute on Drug Abuse as an
emerging trend in the US.
“Molly” refers to the pure
crystalline powder form of
MDMA, which is known as
Ecstasy in pill form.
Acute Effects
energy, euphoria, dangerous
body temperature changes,
confusion, depression, and
16. Effects of Molly on the
Brain/Body
Acute: dehydration,
tachycardia, pupil dilation,
increased body
temperature
Increases the activity of
serotonin, norepinephrine,
and dopamine; primarily
serotonin
Next day: lack of
serotonin; depression
Long-term, it can damage
serotonin-containing
neurons, leading to
lasting confusion and
19. Depressants
e.g., barbiturates (“barbs”), Xanax
(“downers”/“benzos”), sleep
medications like Ambien
Intoxication Effects
Sedation/drowsiness, reduced
anxiety, feelings of well-being,
lowered inhibitions, slurred speech,
poor concentration, confusion,
dizziness, impaired coordination and
memory
Health Risks
Lowered blood pressure, slowed
breathing, tolerance, withdrawal
(potentially life-threatening with
barbs), addiction,
increased risk of respiratory distress
20. Opioids& Morphine Derivatives
e.g., Codeine (“lean”), Morphine, Methadone,
Fentanyl
Intoxication Effects
Pain relief, euphoria, drowsiness, sedation,
weakness, dizziness, nausea, impaired
coordination, confusion, dry mouth, itching,
sweating, clammy skin, constipation
Health Risks
Slowed or arrested breathing, lowered pulse and
blood pressure, tolerance, addiction,
unconsciousness, coma, death
Risk of death is increased with combined with
alcohol or other CNS depressants
21. Opioid Trends
Significant abuse potential
Deaths from prescription
opioid medications now
outnumber overdose deaths
from all other
drugs, including cocaine and
heroin (drugabuse.gov).
Abuse of Pain Relievers
e.g., Oxycodone (“Oxy”),
Hydrocodone, Vicodin,
Demerol
25. Alcohol
Found in:
Liquor, beer, and wine
Acute effects
In low doses
Euphoria, mild stimulation, relaxation, lowered inhibitions
In higher doses
Drowsiness, slurred speech, nausea, emotional volatility,
loss of coordination, visual distortions, impaired memory,
sexual dysfunction, and loss of consciousness
Health Risks
Increased risk of injuries, violence, fetal damage (in
pregnant women), depression, neurologic deficits,
hypertension, liver and heart disease, addiction,
and fatal overdose
26. DWI Trends in Austin
Last 20 months: 11,503 drunken driving cases
47 fatal crashes in 2010, 13 fewer than the year before
Graph from policechiefmagazine.org:
32. For References & More Information:
NCSL Issues and Research- Civil and Criminal
Justice. “Synthetic Cannabinoid Enactments.”
Updated 11.28.12.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—
CDC.gov
The National Institute on Drug Abuse—
DrugAbuse.gov
Federal Drug Administration—FDA.org
Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Gang
Intelligence Index—txdps.state.tx.us/txgangs
2011 National Survey of Drug Use and Health
2012 Monitoring the Future Study
