Crime Watch
Our desire is the promotion of safety and security in a persons
self and possessions. In partnership with the community, working
together towards the common goal of protecting the quality of life
we all would like to have, we are determined, through the fair and
equitable enforcement of the laws of our state and country, to provide
the safest environment possible.
For that reason we dedicate this area to you, our community, as
a tool to provide valuable information and access to the University's
Law Enforcement Division of Public Safety, on a personal level,
right from your home. We invite you to browse through our information
and e-mail
us with any comments or suggestions you may have.
There are certain drugs which become favorites or common for various
age groups to use or abuse. Click on each link to learn more, or
visit the National Institute
for Drug Abuse for more information.
Opium
Medicinal Uses
Opiates have been used medically since ancient times and it ranks
as one of the most effective pain-relieving drugs. There are over
two dozen opiate alkaloids such as Papaver somniferum, Papaver paeoniflorum,
and Papaver rhoeas. The active principles of opium reside in its
alkaloids, the most important part which is morphine. Opium alkaloids
are of two types. One type; Morphine, codeine, and thebaine, act
upon the nervous system. They are analgesic, narcotic, and potentially
addicting compounds. The other type; Papaverine, noscapine and most
of the other opium alkaloids are not analgesic, narcotic, or addicting;
instead they act to relax involuntary (smooth) muscles.
For many years morphine was the physician's mainstay for the relief
of severe pain, although powerful synthetic substitutes have now
partially replaced it. Codeine is used for relieving coughs and
other conditions not so painful as to require morphine. Thebaine
has no medical value itself except for manufacturing codeine.
In the treatment of pain, the opium alkaloids are given orally,
rectally, or by injection. Opium is used orally in the form of its
alcoholic tincture for the treatment of diarrhea. The medical needs
of the world exceeded 1,700 tons by the 1980's in spite of the advent
of synthetic drugs that often can be substituted for opium.
Addiction
When medicinal uses of opium are misused, it leads to addiction.
When first used, opium can give users a feeling of euphoria, extreme
calm, or well being. Their troubles may seem unimportant and nothing
else really matters, except for the fact that the drug works. But
often nightmares and hallucinations may come into play when the
affects of the drug wears off. At that point, the user will often
need more of the opium to satisfy their need for more. As time goes
on, the addict develops an increasing tolerance to the effects of
the drug, and more and more of the drug is needed to produce the
initial effect of euphoria. Many addicts will eventually gets symptoms
of withdrawal after years of using opium.
Opium addiction is a major problem in the world. For example, in
China, there are more than 500,000 heroin addicts, with the youth
accounting for more than 70 percent of that total.
There are various combinations of methods to treat opium addiction.
Detoxification is the gradual reduction of opium doses so that both
the body and mind won't have to rely on enormous amounts of the
drug. A drug called methadone is often used to substitute for the
opium. Another method of treatment is called drug maintenance, where
the addict is given methadone orally on a regular basis. The result
is a cross-tolerance for heroin and other opiates, so that use of
opiates has little or no effect. The third of method is using narcotic
antagonists such as naloxone, to occupy the opiate receptor sites
on nerve cells and thus preventing opiates from having any effect.
The forth of method is psychological maturation of the addict, often
with the aid of psychotherapy, to eliminate the emotional problems
underlying the need for opium. The fifth method is retraining former
addicts in new behaviors and attitudes to make a drug-free life.
The sixth method is prolonged enforced withdrawal from the addictive
opiate in hopes of permanently freeing the addict from any opiates.
All of these methods have been proven to have variable success rates,
but the second, fourth, and have been especially effective.
Opium Tea
Opium tea can be made from either store-bought or homegrown "poppy
tea". Poppy tea can relieve pain and anxiety producing a sense
of well-being and relaxation. Bigger doses of tea can produce euphoria
and "waking sleeps" populated by dreams of vividness.
This usually lasts between three to five days and eventually wears
off.
GHB (Gamma - Hydroxy Buterate)
Now that school is back in session and the residence halls are
full it is incumbent upon us to be aware of the latest drug making
the rounds. This drug, commonly known as GHB, is a favorite with
college age people and often found at Rave parties and local bars
who cater to the younger crowd.
GHB is also known or referred to as Liquid X, Easy Lay, "G"
and Salty Water. Users use GHB to get a buzz, an out of body experience,
or as a Date Rape drug.
Readily made from ingredients found at local hardware and variety
stores, GHB can be manufactured at home or in an apartment since
no heat is required for the chemical reaction to occur. The chemical
Butyrolactone is an essential ingredient. It is used as an engine
degreaser and can also be found in some paint and varnish products.
Purchased directly, it will normally be in a one gallon glass jar
with an attached label. Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) will also be present.
An example would be Red Devil Lye, a common drain cleaner. These
are the only two essential ingredient to make GHB. However it will
be extremely caustic.
To bring down the PH level, some form of acid will be present such
as Muriatic Acid (pool acid) or vinegar, two of the most common
acids used. Additionally, heating elements may be found, however
heat is not necessary, it just speeds up the reaction.
The recipe for GHB can easily be found on the internet. GHB is
a behavioral Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant. It behaves
as a CNS excitant that causes the brain to mimic an epileptic seizure.
This means that a person under the influence of GHB will appear
to be on a depressant, however their CNS will be in a state of electrical
overload. This results in short term memory loss making it a drug
of choice for a "Date Rape".
GHB, along with the buzz it provides to the user, causes a decrease
in inhibitions and a stimulation of sexual desires. This side effect
along with the short term memory loss, has led to the administration
of GHB to unsuspecting victims in cases around the country. Unfortunately,
the old adage of "if a little is good then a lot must be better"
has caused many victims to supper from overdoses. Over doses are
characterized by vomiting, loss of orientation, loss of consciousness,
depressed respiratory rate and in some cases, death.
GHB is normally found in liquid form. Carried in water bottles,
GHB is clear and odorless. Small mouthwash bottles, bottled water,
fruit juice drinks and similar type containers (often with some
of the original bottle contents retained to change the color of
the GHB and give it the normal order. GHB can also be found in a
powered form, however this is not as common as the liquid form.
Unlike Rohypnol, which is tasteless, GHB has a very salty (and
sometimes caustic) taste to it. This is why many victims will remember
and know the person who gave it to them. This factor is one of the
reasons for the nickname Salty Water.
The typical victim is a female that is either alone or with several
other girlfriends. They will be approached by a person who will
offer to by them drinks. The drinks will either be very fruity or
shots of a heavy liqueur. This is done to try and conceal the salty
and/or caustic taste GHB imparts to any liquid it is added to. What
makes investigation of GHB induced Date Rape is the rapid way it
processes out of the blood. GHB processes out of the blood within
4 hours, and out of a users urine in 12 hours. In cases where it
is suspected the victim may have been drugged it is vital that the
officers arriving on the scene recover containers in the area of
the suspected poisoning and a have the victim submit Urine Analysis.
The UA will be essential in any prosecution of the case. Metro's
crime lab can identify GHB in samples, but it must be specifically
requested since GHB will not show up on a normal drug screen.
There are many people who have turned to GHB. Addicts and alcoholics
can get the buzz without the hangover. Additionally, addicts who
are involved in treatment programs, GHB will not appear on the UA
drug screens or react with Anabuse, making it a drug of choice for
them.
With DUI cases being investigated in the field, if GHB is suspected,
the detection of an alcoholic odor may not be present. The physical
signs of intoxication will be present however. A horizontal Gaze
Nystagnous will be present but with no vertical. To build your PC,
look inside the vehicle for signs of vomit (GHB makes almost everyone
vomit), water bottles, or other containers with a liquid. Be aware
of any containers with liquid. GHB has been concealed in small mouthwash
bottles with some of the mouthwash retained to change it's color
and give it the mouthwash odor. Additionally, breath alcohol results
will be low and inconsistent with the intoxication signs being exhibited
by the suspect.
It should be noted that GHB has a synergistic effect with alcohol,
meaning that 1+1 no longer equals 2 but 4. This effect will greatly
enhance the physical signs of intoxication of the suspect even with
very low BA's.
As of December 3, 1997, GHB became a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance.
The same elements as cocaine, meth and other Schedule 1 narcotics
apply.
Rohypnol
Rohypnol®, or flunitrazepam, is a member of the benzodiazepine
family and is not legal in the U.S., even with a prescription. It
is 10 times more potent than Valium® and causes muscle relaxation
and can cause amnesia for up to 8 hours. It is manufactured and
distributed in Europe and Latin America by Hoffman-La Roche to treat
sleep disorders. Recent seizures and anecdotal reporting indicate
that distribution and abuse of Rohypnol are increasing domestically,
especially in southern and southwestern States. Of particular concern
are the drug’s low cost, usually below $5 per tablet, and
its growing popularity among young people. The drug usually is smuggled
into and transported within the United States through the mail or
delivery services. Overnight mail appears to be the preferred method
of importation.
 The
Rohypnol "Bubble Pack
Rohypnol is manufactured worldwide, particularly in Europe and
Latin America, in 1- and 2-milligram tablets. Rohypnol tablets are
round, white and slightly smaller than an aspirin. Rohypnol 2 mg
are distributed in a foil-backed, clear-plastic blister-pack (also
known as "bubble packs") similar to the packaging for
birth control pills.
An individual intoxicated on Rohypnol will appear the same as someone
intoxicated on alcohol or other sleeping pills: manifestations include
slurred speech, impaired judgment and difficulty walking. Pupil
size is not a reliable indicator of use. Some people are easily
irritated and may have angry outbursts with little provocation.
Some people report personality changes and participate in activities
such as stealing or fighting that they would not do or would realize
were stupid while sober. People who seem to be awake and functioning
may still not remember what they did some of the time while they
were intoxicated (similar to an alcohol blackout), and may be injured
without any recollection of the cause. The blackout may begin shortly
after ingestion of the tablets and last for many hours (memory for
events prior to ingestion is usually not affected).
Rohypnol abuse has been reported in middle schools and high schools,
as well as by college students and adults. Heroin addicts use it
as an enhancer for low-quality heroin, or to self-medicate withdrawal
symptoms from heroin or methadone. Cocaine abusers use Rohypnol
to reduce anxiety and agitation from cocaine use. The tablets are
usually taken by mouth. Some people crush the tablets and snort
or smoke the powder, or dissolve it for injection. The most common
pattern is episodic use by teenagers and young adults, most often
in combination with beer or marijuana. There have been reports that
Rohypnol has been put in soft drinks or alcoholic beverages.
The distribution and abuse of Rohypnol, in all likelihood, will
continue to increase within certain segments of society in the United
States, particularly among abusers of other illicit drugs and high
school students who mistakenly believe that the drug is harmless.
In the United States, Rohypnol is used widely in Texas where it
is popular among high school students. Rohypnol is reported to be
readily available in the Miami area, and epidemiologists from that
area have stated that it is South Florida’s fastest growing
drug problem. Additional reports from Miami indicate that the largest
and fastest growing group of Rohypnol users are high school students
who take the drug with alcohol. Two common misperceptions about
Rohypnol may explain the drug’s popularity among young people:
first, many erroneously believe that the drug is unadulterated—and
therefore "safe"—because it comes in presealed bubble
packs; second, many mistakenly think its use cannot be detected
by urinalysis testing.
In March 1995, flunitrazepam was moved to Schedule III by the World
Health Organization, requiring more thorough record keeping on its
licit distribution—the first benzodiazepine to require more
rigid controls. However, due to recent increases in seizures and
abuse of this drug, DEA currently is reviewing the possibility of
placing flunitrazepam into Schedule I of the CSA. A Schedule I drug
is considered to have a high potential for abuse, to have no currently
accepted medical use in treatment, and to lack accepted levels of
safety for use under medical supervision.
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