History of Drug Abuse

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by George B. Griffenhagen The soul of man returns to where it was a child.

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n these words, Plato, the Greek philosopher, described the results of excessive drinking of wine. He continuedNo experiment is less costly and none shall bear fruit more surely and more quickly, if we wish to test the differ· ent characters of men, to judge them and to be guided in the art of making them better, than to know them in the truth of the drunk. Two thousand years later, Bernard Finch l wroteUnder the influence of the hallucinogens, man can be reduced to a raving lunatic or a mystic of the hills of Tibet. _ .. The pursuit of pleasure, as with animals, was primitive man's goal. Thus the misuse of various drugs has been with us from the beginning of recorded history. Perhaps the first true drug of abuse was opium (Papaver somniferum) and its major constituents . To the underworld, it has been called "pen yan," "hop," "tar" or "black stuff." But opium was not always a drug of the underworld. The pleasurable use of opiates was well known among the ancient civilizations. Homer's Iliad describes the cup of Helen as "inducing the sense of evil" and a Sumerian tablet describes an herb which is thought to be opium, as "the joy plant." Opium addicts were not numerous until an epidemic of opium smoking spread throughout China. 16

Imports of opium into China grew and so did the addiction problem. The emperors of China issued edict after ediot prohibiting the use and importation of opium, but they were unable to enforce these measures. Then in 1839, the Chinese emperor put some teeth into his edict with the appointment of an energetic administrator named Commissioner Lin in Canton. Lin demanded the surrender of all opium stored in Western ships and to insure compliance he held Western ships in Canton; when the opium was surrendered, the detained Europeans were released. This new and bold approach was a blow to Western prestige and profits and resulted in great tension. Then one night a British sailor became involved in a brawl which resulted in the death of a Chinese native. The Chinese demanded the surrender of the British seaman but the British refused. This refusal in turn precipitated the struggle known as the "Opium War" ( 1840-1842) . The Chinese were defeated and the British under treaty secured an indemnity of six million dollars and established what was to become the greatest port in the Far East -Hong Kong. Opium importation doubled and tripled, continuing until 1911, when the British and Chinese governments agreed to restrict trade from India as well as cultivation of the opium poppy in China. In America, the problem of opium addiction started before the founding of our republic, but it was not until after the isolation of morphine that addiction became a recognized prob-

Journal of the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION

lem. Opium-eating, described as very common among the lower as well as the middle classes, undoubtedly was stimulated in part by the semifictional accounts of the experiences of addicts; the most notable example of these popular accounts was Thomas de Quincy's "Confessions of an Opium Eater" published in the London magazine for the first time in 1821. In 1842, the American Knickerbocker magazine carried a similar article entitled "An Opium Eater in America" written by a young English immigrant by the name of William Blair. The publication of the ecstatic and lurid details must have enhanced fascination with the powers of opiates among the addiction-prone segment of the population. 2- 4 Other influences that helped to increase the magnitude of the problem were the unreserved medical use of opium and the increase of self-medication with opium preparations. So many addicts were created as a byproduct of the uncontrolled use of opium and morphine in military medicine that addiction became known as the "army disease" during the American Civil War (1861-65), the Prussian-Austrian War (1866) and the Franco-German War ( 1870) . The invention of the hypodermic syringe was thought to provide a means for patients to use morphine without becoming addicted because in the injection procedure the drug would not reach the stomach; so the public purchased syringes and morphine on a do-it-yourself basis. The growth of advertising expanded promotion of the

ever-increasing number of patent nostrums containing huge doses of opium. In 1874, a chemical modification of morphine was developed in England but there was little interest in the new product, called heroin, until 1890. With reports that heroin was ten times more potent than morphine or codeine, the Bayer Company of Germany began commercial production of heroin in 1898. The new compound was even proposed as a cure for morphine addiction. But it was soon found that heroin caused addiction faster than morphine and that heroin addiction was much more difficult to cure than morphine addiction. The first anti-opium law passed in America was a city ordinance enacted in San Francisco in 1875. It resulted from the increasing number of "opium dens" stimulated by the large Chinese population. In 1882, the New York State Assembly passed a bill directed almost exclusively at Chinatown where opium dens flourished. The first international effort at a solution of the opium problem was manifested by the International Opium Commission which convened at the instigation 'Of the United States in Shanghai in February 1909. This meeting was followed quickly by three international opium conventions in the Netherlands in 1912, 1913 and 1914 to establish tighter international controls. After World War I, the power of international contral rested in the hands 'Of the League of Nations. An advisory committee an traffic in opium first met in 1921 and this meeting was followed by the Geneva convention in 1925 and the convention for limiting the manufacture and regulating the distribution 'Of narcotic drugs in 1931. The introductian to this latter convention reported-

lem had to be met head-on natianally. Althaugh the Harrisan Narcotic Act was enacted in the United States in 1914, it was not until 1930 that a federal Bureau of Narcotics was established. Even as it was being organized, the new commissioner, Harry J. Anslinger, was under fire from senators who rose on the floor 'Of the U.S. Congress to show how easy it was to buy "dope" in the nation's capital. "This was purchased," Senator Cole Blease of South Carolina shouted as he waved a tin of opium, "only one block from where we are now deliberating." Anslinger later recounted that the Chinese still had a virtual monopoly on the opium trade in America and "'Opium dens" could still be found in almost any American city. The Chinese underworld of "dope"-combined with gambling and prostitutian-had its own Oriental ruthlessness which has been the hallmark 'Of the narcatics underworld. 7 After World War II, the newly created United Nations adopted a Narcotic Protacol in 1948 placing the authority for control in the hands of the World Health Organization. All synthetic narcotic drugs not under control by earlier agreements were added and subsequent action placed controls over opium-growing countries, limited production and maximum stockpiles and permitted 'Only a few nations to produce for expart. International intrigue deepened when a committee of the United Natians charged that Communist China had been trading opium to 'Obtain foreign exchange. According to documented reports, Red China turned to trade in narcotics to support payments

to Russia while at the same time it cracked down hard on the use of "dope" within its awn cauntry; the Reds called it a nationwide movement for the suppression of paisons. Peking contested the United Nations' charges of promoting international "dope" trade as "slanderous" and accused the United States government of "carrying out a policy of spreading narcatic addiction in the United States, Japan and South Korea." (,Presumably Vietnam has now been added to this list of Red China charges.) The abuse 'Of narcotics has, according to the 1963 President's Advisory Commission on Narcotic and Drug Abuse, aroused two extreme attitudesthe punitive and the permissive. The commissian reports as follawsSome people are concerned primarily with the effects of drug abuse on the community. They know that it can debilitate and destroy the inner fabric of a man and that if it leads to addiction, the abuser becomes obsessed with his drug, living for nothing else. They know that drug abuse is primarily spread by the drug abuser who persuades others to try the drug. Though they may not always consider drug abuse a crime, this school takes an essentially punitive approach. Because most serious drug abusers retu rn to drugs if left to themselves, these people would shut the drug abuser away from society for as long as possible. In contrast to this attitude, others hold that serious drug abuse is usually symptomatic of a mental disturbance and that the drug abuser is a sick person. They attribute his crimes to an inner compulsion for which he should not be held responsible under our code of criminal

The very first attack upon a problem rarely solves it at one stroke by a law perfect and complete at all points. Judged even by the standards of national legislation, the speed of the progress made in building up a satisfactory world law on dangerous drugs was not slow. There can, indeed, be few parallels in the whole field of international legislation to the rapidity with which international law has moved forward in It has advanced within the field. half a human lifetime from the primitive fi rst steps of the Hague Convention of 1912 concluded between a mere handful of states, to the complex machinery of the Limitation Convention, operating in every corner of the inhabited world. H

But even with the best worldwide contrals, the international picture was still a long way from perfect-the prob-

A Daumier caricature of 1859 depicts the British pouring opium down the throats of the Chinese. From the private collection of Wi/liam Helfand, Philadelphia.

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Pl'ofita'ul d\~ La circouslaw;e,ponr \~llllaRer les Cltinois a Sf, payer Jwur deux. cwl. ruilliom l["upiulIl ..

Vol. NS8, No.1, January 1968

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justice. They feel that the drug abuser must be treated for his sick· ness rather than be punished. Some feel his disease is incurable and that he should be maintained on the drug. s

from the land of the Incas

Another potent drug was introduced in 1878 as a treatment for morphine addiction. The drug was cocaine, an alkaloid obtained from the lp.aves of Erythroxylon coca, a small plant growing abundantly on the slopes of the Andes. The shrub was sacred to the Incas and had been used by Aztec priests for religious rites. The effects of the plant were reported by Spanish explorers as early as the 16th century, but little heed was paid to these reports; in fact, many even doubted the existence of such a plant until the 19th century. The South American Indians used coca leaves (the alkaloid cocaine was isolated in 1859) as a stimulant by chewing little balls made from the leaf of the plant. The leaves first cause a tingling sensation due to the stimulation of the taste buds, but soon the sense of taste is lost completely due to the local anesthetic properties of cocaine, a characteristic which opened a new field of interest in local anesthetics. Following the initial reaction comes a feeling of happiness and excitement-all bodily and mental fatigue seems to vanish. Great feats of endurance are thought to be possible. The illicit use of cocaine seems to have decreased in proportion to other drugs and the drug is no longer the serious problem to law enforcement officials that it once was. This has undoubtedly been helped by the United Nations' action in 1949 outlawing and abolishing coca leaf chewing by the natives of Peru and Bolivia and the subsequent curtailment of the production of coca leaves.

drunken episodes and use of the drugs for successful as well as unsuccessful suicidal attempts. Deaths from barbiturates rose alarmingly. During the 1940's, as production of barbiturates tripled so did deaths (about half of them accidental and about half suiBy 1949, about one cides) ,12- 14 quarter of all poisoning cases admitted to hospitals in the United States were due to acute intoxication from barbiturates and sleeping pills caused more deaths, either by accidental ingestion or by suicidal intent, than any other poison. The Germans first recognized the addiction to barbiturates, including withdrawal symptoms consisting of convulsions and a psychosis resembling alcoholic delirium tremens. Harris Isbell at the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, subsequently concluded that "chronic intoxication with barbiturates is a true addiction."15 The "pill poppers" soon developed their own special terminology. Barbiturates in general were known as "goof balls" and when they were dissolved in beer or other alcoholic drinks, the concoction was known as a "Wild Geronimo." Since alcohol and barbiturates are synergistic, the combination was found to produce a feeling not unlike heroin or marihuana. One boy arrested in New York City for robbery while under the influence of a "Wild Geronimo" described the drink as "one that made you feel swell for a few hours after which it sends you into a sound sleep so that you could lie on a bed of hot coals and not feel it."16 Each brand-named and brandidentifiable barbiturate was given a

The title page of G.W. Wedel's book entitled Opiologia, printed in 1674, depicts the operation of slashing the opium capsule and collecting the gum opium. Courtesy of the National Library of Medicine.

goof balls and thrill pills

Sedatives and central nervous system stimulants are among the most widely abused drugs of our time. Barbiturates were introduced into medicine in 1903 by two German scientists. Their discovery, called Veronal, was offered as a controllable means of depressing the central nervous system to any desired degree from slight sedation to deep anesthesia. The barbiturates lend themselves to almost infinite chemical variation and some 1,500 derivatives of barbituric acid have been synthesized in the past 50 years. As early as 1937, tht; American Medical Association took note of the "Evils from Promiscuous Use of Barbituric Acid and Derivative Drugs;" according to the AMA report, these evils included habit formations, substitution of drugs for alcoholic beverages for 18

Thus pentobarbital special name. (Nembutal) became known as "yellow jacket" and secobarbital (Seconal) was designated "red devil" or "red bird." Amobarbital (Amy tal) was known to the bootleg trade as "blue heaven" and being under the influence of any barbiturate was known as being "goofed up." Amphetamine was synthesized in 1927 by a California pharmacologist, George A. Alles. After noting that amphetamines might serve as a suitable substitute for ephedrine and might also be absorbed into the body by inhalation, Alles turned his patent rights over to Smith Kline and French Laboratories. There, a scientist working under Fred N abenhauer found that amphetamine had a pronounced vasoconstrictive effect. He also recommended the drug be used in its vaporous state for relieving nasal congestion in hay fever, colds and other upper respiratory infections. Thus, Smith Kline and French introduced the Benzedrine inhaler in 1932. Continuing investigations of amphetamine, the Philadelphia drug firm noted that for obese patients taking the drug, the accompanying loss of appetite was helpful in weight reduction. In 1945 Smith Kline and French Laboratories introduced Dexedrine which was found to be equally useful in weight control. It also counteracted drowsiness caused by some drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy and was helpful in reducing anesthesia after surgery. Airmen in World War II relied on amphetamine for extra energy and alertness when flying long, dangerous missions and when the auto-

Journal of the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION

Harper's Weekly for October 8, 1881 shows this interior of a New York City opium den. Courtesy of the National Library of Medicine.

matic controls failed on his space ship, United States Astronaut Gordon Cooper was ordered to take an amphetamine capsule so that his reflexes would be at their sharpest for his reentry on manual controls. Unfortunately, newspaper publicity concerning the stimulating actions of Benzedrine led to notoriety and abuses. Perhaps the first such abuse was found in 1936 at the University of Minnesota where psychology studerits who had been conducting experiments with different drugs tried Benzedrine themselves; they found it would help them stay awake for "cramming." The drug soon acquired a vogue for all sorts of conditions. Truck drivers and night watchmen began using it to keep awake for their work and people from all walks of life began taking Benzedrine as a "pick-me-up" or as a "pep pill." A song entitled cCWho put the Benzedrine in Mrs. Murphyils Ovaltine" became a smash hit and a newspaper advertisement offered a ch~rm bracelet with a pill box attached stating-"For Benzedrine if you're having fun and going on forever; aspirin if it's all a headache." Bored "Broadwayites" began taking c'bennies" along with barbiturates to get an effect that they called "a bolt and a jolt" and combinations of amphetamine with barbiturates in England became known as "purple hearts." By then, "dope" addicts had found "thrill pills" served as excellent "bombitas" to produce a better "high" then heroin alone. 17- 18

Misuse brought about legal control in the United States, placing Benzedrine into the prescription legend classifioation. Bennie users were unable to get a supply of the original drug and so they looked to the Benzedrine inhaler (which was available without a prescription) as a possible source. They bought up the Benzedrine inhalers, cracked open the tube, removed the Benzedrine-impregnated paper and soaked it in a hot liquid or soft drink. The contents of one inhaler held an equivalent of 25 Benzedrine sulfate tablets. New phrases were coined as a result of this new Benzedrine inhaler-such as H-bombs and "cracking a bennie." The manufacturer stamped on the impregnated paperWarning. For inhalation only. Unfit for internal use. Dangerous if swallowed.

But this didn't stop the "cracking-abennie" parties. The manufacturer then placed on emetic in ,the Benzedrine-impregnated paper, but the "bennie-busters" found a way to separate it from the amphetamine. So the only thing left for SK&F to do was remove the Benzedrine inhaler from the market all together-which the firm did in 1949. But amphetamine continues to be abused-even with the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965. the devil's weed

Hardly a drug has ever been used more shrouded in mystery or more encrusted with misconceptions than mari-

huana (Cannabis sativa). In Arabia, it is known as "hashish" still ~arrying with it the lurid tales of Hasan and his Assassins, who were credited with performing the most revolting deeds of atrocity and debauchery under the influence of this drug. No less a world traveler than Marco Polo wrote about hashishI n the center of the territory of the Assassins there are delicious walled gardens in which one can find everything that can satisfy the needs of the body and the caprices of the most exacting sensuality. All is joy, pleasure, voluptuousness and enchantment. The grand master of the Assassins, whenever he discovers a young man resolute enough to belong to his murderous legions, invites the youth to his table and intoxicates him with the plant, hashish. Having been secretly transported to the pleasure gardens, the young man imagines that he has entered the paradise of Mahomet. The girls, lovely as Houris, contribute to this illusion. After he has enjoyed to satiety all the joys promised by the Prophet to his elect, he falls into a state of lethargy and is transported back to the presence of the grand master. Here he is informed that he can enjoy perpetually the delights he has just tasted if he will take part in the war of the Infidel as commanded by the Prophet. UI

In India marihuana has been cultivated as a drug for many centuries. The potent spirit of the hemp resides in the sticky and aromatic resin which ooats the female Rowers. Crushed and Vol. NS8. No.1, January 1968

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rolled into flat cakes, these flowering tops form the "gangha" or marihuana of Bengal. The most potent of all the hemp drugs is "charas" produced in Central Asia. In Bombay, the potent "charas" is incorporated into a sweetmeat called "maajun," which is popular among the members of the female sex. Algeria's special delicacy is made from Cannabis by grinding the hemp tops with sugar, orange juice, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, musk, pistachios and pine kernels and forming it into small candies. To increase their aphrodisiac effect, the Oriental sometimes added a pinch of nux vomica or cantharides. But the main form of marihuana administration is by smoking. Throughout the Middle East, hashish is smoked in special pipes called "josies." When the Egyptian government clamped down on the use of hashish, the users had to turn to smugglers for their source of supply. 20 The marihuana problem in America is of relatively recent origin. Introduced into the southern part of the United States by Mexican laborers, the habit of smoking marihuana took hold in New Orleans and soon it was estimated that thousands of pounds of the weed were smuggled into port. The habit spread, making its appearance in practically every state. Lurid stories began to appear in the daily press concerning the effect of the drug, reporting a variety of instances where drugged individuals were reported to have lost control of their actions and committed unpremeditated acts of violence. When marihuana was brought under the Harrison Narcotic Act in 1937, the newspaper stories reached their peak of sensationalism. A Florida boy was charged with the murder of his entire family because of marihuana cigarettes and, in Colorado, marihuana was claimed to be the cause of a sexual assault on a young girl in 1936. But authorities did not agree on the extent of dangers from marihuana. For example, the Military Surgeon Journal in 1943 editorializedThe smoking of the leaves, flowers and seeds of Cannabis sativa is no more harmful than the smoking of tobacco or mullein or sumac leaves ... hence the legislation in relation to marihuana is ill advised ....

And when the Egyptian government heaped violent abuse on the hemp plant, charging it with "inducing acts of violence, even murder," Goodman and Gilman observedIt is agreed that marihuana is a nuisance and that trafficking in it should be strictly suppressed by adequately stringent laws, but few would entirely agree with the conclusion of the Cen20

An 1849 French almanac shows a great wizard peering into the future through his telescope, while a long line of 19th century "hippies" march past carrying signs reading "ether" (for the popular ether frolics of the period) and banners reading "hatchish" (for marih uana users). Courtesy of the National Library of Medicine.

tral Narcotics Intelligence Sure,au of the Egyptia n government.

In an effort to assess the true hazards of marihuana use, Mayor LaGuardia empowered a special committee to study the matter in New York City. Its 1944 report stated that marihuana generally was used in the form of cigarettes commonly called "muggle" or "reefers." The cheapest brand is known as "sassfrass" retailing at three for 50 cents (1944 prices) and are made from hemp grown in the United States. A more potent brand is the "panatella" made from hemp grown in Central or South America; it retails for 25 cents a cigarette (also 1944 prices). Still more potent is the "gungeon," considered the highest grade of marihuana, imported from Africa and sold at a dollar per cigarette. Most of the smoking in New York City was found to be taking place in Harlem, where there were about 500 "tea-pads." These were generally comfortably furnished rooms with a radio, phonograph or juke-box. The lighting was usually dim with blue predominating and the incense burner was considered a natural part of the furnishings. The "tea-pad" usually takes on an atmosphere of a very congenial social club in which there is a great willingness to share and puff on each other's cigarettes. It is an estab-

Journal of the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION

lished practice in these "tea-pads" for one person to light a marihuana cigarette and after one or two inhalations pass it on to the next person-a practice which concerned investigators since it increased the possibility of spreading disease. Confirmed marihuana smokers consume six to ten cigarettes per day and they seem to have a keen sense of knowing just how many are needed in their particular case to maintain the effect of being "high." No visible signs of withdrawal symptoms resulted when "tea-heads" or "grasshoppers" (as marihuana users are called) discontinued smoking "reefers." Neither was there any significant relationship between crime or juvenile delinquency and marihuana nor was there any indication that marihuana was the first step to the use of morphine, heroin or cocaine. The committee thus concluded that "the publicity concerning the catastrophic effects of marihuana smoking in New York City is unfounded" and that "marihuana was a minor nuisance rather than a major menace."22 These conclusions were reported in Down Beat magazine with the headline "Light Up Gates, Report Finds Tea a Good Kick':> and the American Medical Association blasted that the report draws sweeping and unscien-

tific conclusions which mlnunlze the harmlessness of marihuana. To quote the A"Al A ] ournalThe book states unqual,ifiedly to the public that the use of this narcotic does not lead to physical, mental or moral degeneration and that permanent deleterious effects from its continued use were not observed on 77 prisoners. This statement has already done great damage to the cause of law enforcement. Public officiais will do well to disregard this unscientific, uncritical study and continue to regard marihuana as a menace wherever it is purveyed. 23

Mayor LaGuardia retortedThe findings were to be interpreted only as a reassuring report of progress and not as encouragement of indulgence.

He assured AMA and the public that he clearly intended to enforce the law against the use of marihuana. For all intents and purposes, marihuana has been dropped frOom medical practice and so the remaining debate now hangs on the degree of penalty to be handed out to marihuana users. The President's Advisory Commission on Narcotic and Drug Abus'e in 1963 recognized the relatively trivial nature This 18th century miniature shows a woman using a "hookah," probably to smoke hashish or marihuana. From Kama Sastri; cou rtesy of the National Library of Med'icine.

of the marihuana evil by suggesting that all mandatory sentences be eliminated from crimes involving it alone and many now propose that the law ought to deal with the marihuana user along the same lines that are used with persons who drink alcohol. As the ,c ontroversy continues among the scientists, the hippies capitalize on the situation featuring pictorial, do-ityourself instructions on growing Cannabis, curing marihuana, rolling one's own "joints" (marihuana cigarettes) and offering alternate methods of "getting stoned." For example readers of one hippie paper are told how to prepare hashish by "rubbing marihuana through a silk screen . . . (and) packed together with Karo syrup or other such sticky goodies." Readers are also urged to ",a dd a dime's worth ($10) of grass (marihuana) to a patkage of Betty Crocker's Nutty Brownie mix. In this way," the story notes, "you can tum on in public with nary a raised eyebrow." A book, Cooking with Pot, is being sold by hippie Chicago stores for $1. For group parties, the hippies suggest "a cave with an entrance that can be easily blocked. Break up a kilo block (of marihuana) on top of

kindling wood. Get everyone together. Block up the cave and ignite. An Indian method for getting stoned." Another method suggested in the same hippie paper is to get "a gas mask at any army surplus store. Add a bowl to the end of the tube, experiment with inhaling and exhaling to make sure you don't blow the bag out of the bowl. De~orate with yam. Every breath you take is pure grass." And this is all for real while the experts argue. flesh of the gods

Soon after the Spaniards arrived in Mexico, they discovered that the Aztecs worshipped a variety of cactus and mushrooms. One of the substances, 'called peyote, was "the flesh of the gods." But this heavenly herb presented at once a challenge to the Spaniard missionaries who had their own ideas on the subject of God's flesh and they promptly excommunicated the plant leaving it to languish in the shadows for some three centuries and secretly be enjoyed by t~e natives. The Mexicans, as they turned to Christianity, continued to regard the plant as the flesh of God and in the dry plateaus of northern Mexico, the natives sought out the divine plant calling it the nourishment of the soul as well as the food for the body. The holy plant is collected with proper respect; several weeks before the collection expedition departs ( usually in October), the collectors prepare themselves by chanting prayers, fasting and abstaining from sexual intercourse. When they reach the plants, they shoot arrows into the air to the right and left of the plant to ward off the evil spirits; then they dig the cactus carefully and bring it back with great rejoicing to offer it on the altars. Some is kept for the great festivals and the rest is sold. To preserve the drug, the cactus is cut into thick, fleshy slices which are laid in the sun to dry. These are commonly known as "mescal buttons." This ritual spread steadily among the Indians, crossing the borders and invading the United States; it was adopted by the Apaches, the Omahas, the Kiowas and the Comanches. As a result, Christian missionaries renewed efforts to prevent the Indians from obtaining the plant. The missionaries claimed that its use led the user to the pit of hell, to which the Indian retorted that it really brought him several steps nearer to heaven. Typical of the Indian peyote rites are those of the Kiowas; the ceremony takes place on Saturday night. The men sit quietly forming themselves into a circle around a flickering camp( continued on page 36 ) Vol. NS8, No.1, January 1968

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drugs of abuse (continued from page 14)

600 mg per day for several months have resulted in withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued. These symptoms consist of depression, agitation, nausea and grand mal convulsions. Withdrawal symptoms do not appear until 48 hours after cessation of treatment. It is important to consider the additive effect of several depressants when administered concomitantly. meprobamate Miltown, Equanil

Sixteen hundred to 2,400 mg of meprobamate per day have produced physical dependence with withdrawal symptoms occurring upon discontinuance. Tolerance to the sedative effects of the drug also appears on continued dosings. Withdrawal symptoms include vomiting, tremors, anxiety, hallucinations and grand mal seizures. glutethimide Doriden

From 2.5 to 12 gm daily with an average of about five gm seems to be the dosage used by glutethimide addicts. Withdrawal of the drug or reduction of the dose significantly will produce symptoms of excitement, hallucinations and grand mal seizures. paraldehyde Paraldehyde is similar to chloral hydrate 'a nd alcohol in its hypnotic and sedative properties and its side effects. The taste and odor, particularly on the breath, lead potential abusers to seek other drugs. Withdrawal symptoms are similar to those caused by withdrawal of chloral hydrate. amyl nitrite Amyl nitrite is a vasodilator similar in chemistry and pharmacology to ni-

troglycerin. Used to treat attacks of angina pectoris and bronchospasm of asthma, the drug is a clear, yellowish inflammable liquid with a pungent odor. It is destroyed in the stomach and has little effect if injected; therefore the common route of administration is by inhalation. The effect of the drug is rapid (within 30 seconds) but of short duration. Noticeable effects from the drug are flushing of the face, profound dizziness and throbbing in the head and chest. Because of these bizarre effects the drug tends to be popular among teenagers who are looking for a "charge." It has been rumored that the drug has a.Jso been used by elderly .men in ·achieving orgasm. This latter use has not been confirmed by research and, based on the pharmacology of the drug, it is difficult to see how such an effect could be accomplished. Side effects from the agent include headache, hypotension and, with high and prolonged usage, methemoglobinemia. Tolerance to the vasodilating effect of the drug is common. asthma cigarettes Cigarettes such as Asthmador which are smoked to relieve the symptoms of asthma have been the subject of much concern. There appears to be a belief among the younger elements of the population that smoking or ingesting large amounts of these cigarettes will provide a "charge." These products contain the dried parts of Datura stramonium (Jimson Weed, Jamestown weed, thorn apple), a relative of the belladonna family. Stramonium contains atropine and scopolamine. The mind-altering properties of Datura stramonium were recognized by Indians who inhabited Mexico and parts of the United States. These tribes used the plant in various rites usually having to do with puberty in

drug addiction rising in Great Britain he number of known addicts to narcotics in Great Britain trebled between 1961 and 1966. In the same period, heroin addiction increased sevenfold. These statistics were reported by Science Service based on a survey by the British Office of Health Economics. The survey concerns itself primarily with opiates but also considers the barbiturates, amphetamines and hallucinogens (LSD and marihuana). It calls for action on suggestions that the smoking of reefers is harmless to health and should therefore be made legal, stating that at the present stage there is not enough evidence to support a decision to relax control or marihuana. Introducing the survey, George Teeling-Smith, director of the Office of Health Economics saidAddicts are getting younger. In 1959 there were no heroin addicts under 20. Last year there were 317 known to the Home Office. Altogether about 1,400 are now known. Heroin addiction may well become a serious threat to our SOCiety and our economy. Only a small minority of heroin users continue to live normal, productive lives and many addicts rapidly infect other susceptible people. This is clearly detrimental and strict control of heroin oand other narcotics is essential. •

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Journal of the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION

young men. English soldiers, while attempting to put down an uprising in Jamestown in 1676, inadvertently ate a stew made with the plant and spent the next several days in revelry.6 Since the intent of the abuser is to become intoxicated with the product, an investigation into the toxic effect of atropine and scopolamine may shed some light on why these products are used. Overdoses of atropine cause flushing of the face, blurred vision and cerebral excitation which results in talkativeness, restlessness and mental confusion. 6- 7 Scopolamine poisoning causes similar effects to that of atropine. However, hallucinations and toxic psychosis have been reported with scopolamine intoxication. 8-9 vapors glue, ether, chloroform, gasoline, lighter fluid, refrigerants, carbon tetrachloride, paint thinner. shellac, kerosene

These agents have all been abused at one time or another. Chloroform parties and "ether jags" in the 19th century provided unusual experiences for those who wished an escape. With the recent popularity of glue sniffing, other substances have been sought out and tried. Some of these (see list above) demonstrated ability to alter conscious thinking. Glue appears to be the agent of choice in producing the desired effect. The ceremony of sniffing glue is usually performed in groups. The glue is squeezed into a paper or plastic bag or handkerchief and the vapors inhaled. The effects of sniffing glue are similar to those of drinking alcohol -inebriation, exhilaration, euphoria and stupor. In addition, there are vivid, colorful hallucinations which accompany the experience. 10 Usually the hallucinations appear only during the period of inhalation but in some cases persist for as long as two hours. Glue contains toluene which is reported to be responsible for the cement's bizarre effects. Toluene is irritating to the mucous membrane which causes inflamed nostrils, lips and eyes of glue sniffers. Sniffers frequently suffer from nausea, vomiting, tinnitus and dizziness. Some evidence of liver damage has been reported, but this may not be permanent. Deaths have occurred primarily from suffocation caused by plastic bags held against the face. nutmeg Nutmeg, a widely known spice, can be poisonous. Its toxic symptoms are drowsiness, stupor, delirium and sleep which are responsible, apparently, for its propensity for abuse. Nutmeg contains five to 15 percent of myristica oil, a volatile oil which is responsible for the pharmacologic ac-

Heroin, marihuana, money from the sale of drugs already purchased, diluents, scales and a gun were all seized in a single raid by Bureau of Narcotics agents. Courtesy of the library, Bureau of Narcotics.

tion of the fragrant spice. The oil can be obtained from nutmeg by steam distillation with sirilple equipment. MyristJicin,composing approximately four percent of the oil, is the most important constituent and is responsible for the central effects of the drug. MMDA (3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxy amphetamine) can be synthesized from myristicin (see MMDA). R.B. Paynel l has reported on two male students who each took two tablespoonfuls (approximately 14 gm) of powdered nutmeg suspended dn a glass of milk. Effects began to appear about five hours after ingestion. Effects described as "unreal" and "dreamlike" were noted. Rapid heart rates, dry mouth and thirst were aJso reported. Agitation, apprehension and a sense of impending doom were additional symptoms. There were no hallucinations or delusions. Extreme drowsiness occurred about 12 hours after ingestion and lasted for the next 24 hours. The subjects stated that the sense of unreality lasted for 48 to 60 hours. Both described the experience as unpleasant and frightening. stimulants

The use of amphetamines has become a well established and extensive form of drug abuse. The Japanese during World War II used amphetamines extensively to stimulate civilians

and soldiers to greater effort. Amphetamines were readily avaHable on a nonprescription basis following the war and by 1954, reports indicated the existence of 200,000 amphetamine addicts dn }apan. Most of the addicts were uSii ng methamphetamine by injection. ,I n 1954 the government imposed strict regulations, ~esulting in a sharp drop in the number of addicts. In the United States, amphetamine abuse has ,b een reported in almost every major city. One study estimated 5,000 individuals were obtaining amphetamines ,a nd barbiturates through illegal channels in Oklahoma City. Another report indicated as many as 4,000 individuals in the city of San Francisco regularly take amphetamines intravenously. Other communities 'are similarly affected. amphetamine racemic {3-phenylisopropylamine, Benzedrine, bennie, benzies, peaches, roses, hearts, cartwheels

The ~entral stimulant effects of amphetamine were first used clinical,l y to treat nar901epsy and have since been employed in a variety of conditions including obesity, fatigue, parkinsonism, depressive syndromes, behavior disorder, petit mal epilepsy and poisoning by CNS depressants. Amphetamine given orally increases blood and pulse pressures. Heart rate

is often reflexly slowed; with large dos·es, cardiac arrhythmias may occur. In general, effects on the smooth muscles include constriction of the blood vessels ,and decreased motility and tone of the stomach and intestines with contraction of the sphincter muscles. With respect to the central nervaus system, amphetamine is ane of the most potent sympathamimetic amines. It is effective far stimulating the medullary respiratory center, lessening central depressian caused by various drugs and stimulating the normal cerebraspinal axis. Individuals exhibit the follawing characteristics when given 10 to' 30 mg of amphetamine-alertness and a decreased sense of fatigue, elation, a feeling of self-confidence and an increase in motor activity. The perfarmance af physical and mental tasks is improved and although more work may be accomplished, the number of errars is not necessarily decreased. Both large doses and/or prolonged usage will reverse these effects and will be followed by mental depressian and fatigue. Many individuals given amphetamine experience headache, palpitation, dizziness, vasomotar disturbances, agitation, confusian, dyspharia, apprehension and delirium. Most addicts begin with low doses 'af oral amphetamines and slawly increase their dosage up to 150 to 250 mg daily. When the desired results are not obtained, they change to intravenous usage. During early phases, 20 to 40 mg doses taken three or four times a day 'Suffice, but as talerance builds, the dose and frequency of injection dncrease considerably. The toxic dose of amphetamine varies depending upon the individual. Taxic effects have been recorded follawing administration from as little as twa mg, but these cases are rare. Usually 15 mg and above are needed befare taxic reactions appear. Severe reactions have been reparted with 30 mg, yet doses of 400 to 500 mg have been survived. Many addicts seem to develap a tolerance to the cen ITal effects af amphetamine and continually increase the dasage to obtain the desired effects. One case reported an addict's intake to' be 1,700 mg per day without apparent ill effects. The tax'ic syndrome is characterized by vivid Vli'Sual and au
dexies,

The dextrorotatory dsomer of amphetamine was found to have greater central nervaus stimulating effect than Vol. NS8, No.1, January 1968

23

the racemic amphetamine. Drug effects usuaHy appear within 30 minutes to one hour following an oral dose of 2.5 mg to five mg. Five mg administered two or three times a day is recommended for chronic medication. methamphetamine Amphedroxyn, Oesoxyn, Drinalfa, 0.0.£., Methedrine, Norodin, Syndrox, speed, businessman's trip, bombita (when injected)

The pharmacological actions are similar to amphetamine. It is marketed under a number of trade names. Preparations are available as tablets, powder, ampuls, elixir and sustained release tablets. Oral dosage varies from 2.5 mg daily to five mg three times a day. For a pressor effect, a dose of 10 to 30 mg is given intramusculavly. The highest maximum dose reported by an addict was in excess of one gm taken every two hours.

but today the choice route of administration is intravenous. The drug is usually mixed with other substances such as morphine or heroin. Although the drug is not addicting and causes few withdrawal reactions, it is habituating. Chronic toxicity from the drug produces a sensory hallucination in which the victim, imagining insects or other foreign material crawling under his skin, tears at himself to rid himself of the affliction. mephentermine Wyamine

Mephentermine, known chemically as N, alpha, alpha-trimethylphenethylamine sulfate, is used in hypotensive conditions and as a nasal decongestant. This sympathomimetic amine is contained ill the Wyamine Inhaler. Aromatics are present with 250 'm g of mephentennine. phenmetrazine hydrochloride Pre/udin

cocaine coke, He," Cecil, Corine, Carrie, Chol/y, happy dust, heaven dust, dust, snow, star dust, girl, Bernice, Burese, Bernies, flake, gold dust

Although under the jurisdiction of the Harrison Narcotic Act, cocaine is a stimulant similar to t:he amphetamines. It elevates the mood, suppresses hunger, increases menta'l capacity and relieves fatigue. On intravenous administration, the drug causes an ecstatic sensation. Its short-lived course results in repeated administrations of the drug within short periods of time. Toxic effects soon follow from overdosage. In the past the drug was administered by inhalation ("snuff the snow"),

Phenmetrazine hydrochloride is known chemically as 3-methyl-2phenylmorphine hydrochloride. The majority of investigators consider the effects of phenmetrazine to be mild compared to amphetamine. However, one investigator found the euphoriant and stimulant actions of 25 to 50 mg of the drug administered daily to be more powerful than those produced by five mg of amphetamine twice daily. The usual dose for adults is 25 mg, two or three times daily, administered orally an hour before meals. psychotogenic drugs Psychotogenic drugs produce hallucinations and psychotic behavior and

summary of contents Part I -a historical perspective Drug abuse through the centuries in Europe, Asia and the Americas-including changing public and medical attitudes. Part II --drugs of abuse and their effects Characteristics and actions of vari6us .t ypes of drugs from solvents through a~.e;~etamine and barbiturates, to the opiates, nlari'huana and LSD_

24

Journal of the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION

their use can lead to serious mental changes, psychotic manifestations, suicidal tendencies and nervous breakdowns. Users can undergo oomplete personality changes. bufotenine cahoba

Bufotenine has been isolated from secretion of the glands of toads and from the seeds of Piptadenia peregrina. South American Indians have long used the seeds to prepare a psychotropic snuff called "cahaba." Bufotenine is chemioally known as the N'N'-dimethyl derivative of 5-hydroxytryptamine and shares many of the same actions. Intravenously, psychotic episodes and cardiovascular effects of short duration have occurred with the intensity being directly proportional to the dose and speed of injection. marihuana Texas tea, pot, locoweed, mezz, weed, Mary Warner, hemp, grass, griefo, Indian hay, fu, bo bo, bush, sweet Lucy, love weed, jive, pod, mutah, muggles, splim, reefer, joint, stick, viper's weed, gage, rope, Mary Jane, mor-a-grifa, ha,y, hashish, goof butt, green, griff, gauge, joy smoke, kilter, Mary Weaver, mooters, stick, stink weed, twist, wheat.

Marihuana is the crude preparation made from the flowering tops of the female hemp plant Cannabis sativa. The plant can grow in almost any climate and in most soil conditions but the semitropical and temperate zones are preferred growing areas. The drug at one time was used to relieve pain and promote sleep but undesirable effects and the inability

to obtain reproducible effects led to its abandonment. The most popular method of administration of m'arihuana is by smoking ("blasting" or "blowing"). Cigarettes ("joints") are hand rolled from the dried parts of the plant. Tobacco is often mixed with the leaves to act as a binder and to f.acilitate slower burning. A dose of 120 mg has been reported to be effective in causing delirium. Another method of administration is to boil the hemp to extract the resin; from this a small amount of powder is obtained which is inhaled as snuff. 13 The active constituent of marihuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, although isolated in 1940, only recently has been synthesized in the laboratory. The effects of marihuana are somewhat similar to ,alcohol and include speaking freely, daydreaming and sedation. The effect of the drug is mediated largely by the user's personality and the presence of others in the room enjoying the same sensations. From five to ten minutes after smoking, there is a feeling of restlessness and anxiety which fades into calmness. The user's body feels light and walking seems easier. Speech becomes rapid, time appears to travel slowly, memory deteriorates and attention becomes confused. Colorful hallucinations appear after 20 to 25 minutes. In an hour or two the user is asleep.13 There appear to be little aftereffects to the use of marihuana. Addiction is absent and there appear to be no withdrawal symptoms with the drug. Continued use sometimes leads to generalized fatigue and habituation is a definite hazard. mmda

MMDA is chemically known as 3methoxy-4,-5-methylenedioxyamphetamine and is obtained from nutmeg. Initial intoxication occurs at about one mg/ kg of body weight. Increased dosage merely prolongs the duration of episode. MMD'A is approximately three times stronger than mescaline. mescaline

M esc a lin e, or 3,4,5,-trimethoxyphenylethylamine, is obtained from the peyote cactus. Although still in the experimental state, it has been reported to provide hallucinations on 300 mg mInImum. A few pharmacological properties include anxiety, the usual sympathomimetic effects and vivid hallucinations ( colored lights, geometric designs, ,animals and sometimes people). Effects of a full dosage may last up to 12 hours. The method of administration is oral, although injectable use has been reported. Because of its bitter taste,

Richard E. Long is the director of the APhA student activities division. A native of San Francisco, APhA member Long was graduated from Utah State University in 1966 with a BS in education and then continued his education by earning a B S in pharmacy " from the same institution. During school he was president of the APhA student chapter and was active in the APhA student section. He is also a member of the Utah Pharmaceutical Association.

Richard P. Penna has been on the APhA staff since 1966 when he became secretary of the Academy of General Practice of Pharmacy. He is a graduate of the University of California, having earned a B S in 1958 and a PharmD in 1959. Prior to his present position, Penna was assistant clinical professor of pharmacy at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. While on the faculty, he was also a practicing pharmacist in Redwood City, California. Penna helped organize and served as first president of both the Peninsula (California) Pharmaceutical Society and San Mateo County Pharmaceutical Association.

it is usually ingested with tea, coffee or milk. mescal mescal button Anhalonium, mescal bealns, hikori, hiku/i, huatari, seni, wokowi, peyote

The drug is obtained from a cactus in Mexico, Lophophora (Anhalonium). This plant has ,b een associated with Indian ceremonies fOT many years; its chief effects being those of hallucinations and euphoria. The drug contains several alkaloids including mescaline, anhalanine, anhalamine and anhalidine. Main 'action is a stimulant of the visual and visuo-psychic areas of the cor,tex. Mydriasis is about the only constant symptom found in all subjects; nausea is reported by a great number of cases. Effects of a 300 to 800 mg dose 'are e~erienced within one or two hours after ingestion. Effects usually last for 10 to 12 hours. Toxic effeots include mydriasis accompanied by unusual and bizarre color perception. Flashing lights and vivid configurations also occur. Buttons may be eaten, or a "tea" may be made from the drug, or it may be dried and then pawderedand put into gelatin capsules.

to LSD but of shorter duration. Fifty to 60 mg will produce an effect which lasts about a half-hour. The drug is also found as a natural constituent of the seeds of various West Indian and South American plants. det diethy/tryptamine

DET is a synthetic derivative similar in action to chemically-related DMT. psilocybin

Psilocybin is extracted from a Mexican mushroom, Stropharia cubensis and Psilocybe Mexicana; it is known chemically as ortho-phosphoryl-4-hydroxy-N-dimethyltryptamine. Psilocybin was used by primitive societies for divination and communion with supernatural powers, but to scientists, its effects are indistinguishable from those of mescaline and LSD. A dose of 20 to 60 mg will elidt hallucinogenic effects which last from five to six hours. psilocin

Psilocin is extracted from the same source as psilocybin. It is a nonphosphorylated analog of psilocybin which possesses similar pharmacological and psychotic properties.

dmt dimethyltryptamine

68

A synthetic derivative of tryptamine, DMT provides central effects similar

Similar to banana peel, 68 or sexjuice may be a hoax. Reports conHict

sex-juice, sexy-68

Vol. NS8, No.1, January 1968

25

source of information The International Journal of the Addictions provides a comprehensive medium of communication among professionals participating in research, training and treatment in the field of addiction and drug misuse and for lay people who are concerned about the consequences of substance misuse and the manner in which this phenomenon has been handled. The Journal provides a forum for the exchange of both theory and empirical knowledge in the areas of drug, alcohol, tobacco and food misuse. Since reports on research in these areas have been scattered through world literature, the results from past and present research and experience usually reach only a small portion of the interesteq professional and lay publ,ic. The Journal not only publishes original ,articles but also reprints vital work that either has been long out of print or is not easily accessible to readers throughout the world. It contalins book reo views, a feature article on recent trends in substance misuse, abstracts and new community programs here and abroad that deal with substance misuse. There is also a new section on audiovisual readers. Pub.ished by the Institute for the Study of Drug Addiction, The International Journal of the Add'ictions is edited by Stanley Einstein. Subscri'ptions for the semiannual Journal ($6 per year domestic and $10 per y,ear for libranies and institutions) can be ordered "from the Institute for the Study of Drug Addiction, 680 End Avenue, New York, NY 10025.

"

as to the makeup and effects of this material. Claims by users indicate "68" produces wilder and shorter '~trips" than LSD or STP. "68" definitely is not LSD, but preliminary reports indicate it might be D,MT, DET or a combination. However, FDA reports "68" is nothing more than oil of peppermint. Isd D·lysergic diethylamid'e, LSD-25, lysergic acid diethylamide, acid, cubes, pearly gates, heavenly blue, royal blue, wedding bells

LSD precursors can be obtained from two sources- ( 1) ergot ( Claviceps purpurea) , the parasitic fungus found on wheat, rye and other grasses and (2) morning glory, also known as ololiuqui (Rivea corymbosa). LSD, formed by chemical modifications, is chemically known as D-Iysergic acid diethylamide. 26

LSD has been reported to be useful in the rehabilitation of criminals, treatment of sexual disorders and treatment of mentally retarded and schizophrenic children and also in the trea,t ment of psychotic adults, to relieve intolerable pain in terminal cancer patients, drug addicts, adolescent behavioral problems in boys, character disorders, sodopathic personality disorders and treatment of alcoholism. Some authors, however, still maintain that the drug is too dangerous to be used in therapy-since it may produce psychoses, attempted suicides, panic episodes, physical complaints, depressions and a release of pre-existing asocial trends. Chromosome alterations resulting from LSD have been observed in the white blood cells of people -taking LSD. One report tells of a malformed baby girl being born to a 19-year-old woman who was using LSD. She had taken the drug between the 45th and 98th days of her pregnancy, the period critical for production of deformities. The mother's family history was negative in reference to malformations and hereditary conditions. Her hus band also had taken the drug. 15 Hoffer 16 of Saskatchewan, Canada, has shown that LSD does not produce a toxic state in humans. But there are two kinds of complications following LSD therapy- ( 1) the reaction may be too intense and (2) the reaction may be too long. Cohen17 collected the results of LSD complications indicating that ,the most common problems during the LSD experience were unmanageability or panic and severe physical complaints. Twenty-five mcg per adult is the minimal effective dose with the optimum between 100 mcg to 1,000 mcg depending upon the individual (i.e. personality, physical type, education, vocation, 'age, health, alcoholic, time of day and number of people present). The psychological effects of LSD include changes in visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory and kinesthetic perception; in experiencing time and space; in rate and content of thought and in body image. They produce illusions and hallucinations; vivid images; increased awareness of color and colored objects; abrupt and frequent mood changes; increased suggestibiility; enhanced recall or memory; depersonalization; dual, multiple and fragmentized consciousness; seeming awareness of internal organs and processes of the body; sense of capacity to communicate much better; feelings of empathy; regression and "primitivization." They also involve a range of responses moving from extremes of anxiety to extremes of pleasure. Sympathetic excitation, pupil dilation and

Journal of the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION

sweating are the most frequently found physical findings. Illicit LSD is usually supplied in capsules or on sugar cubes. Oral administration produces symptoms within 30 to 45 minutes; an intramuscular injection within 15 to 20 minutes. (Intramuscular injections are particularly hazardous.) Effects of the drug usually last from 8 to 10 hours. tryptamine

Although lacking any central activity of its own, many of the psychotogenic drugs are derivatives of tryptamine. Bufotenin, LSD, psilocybin, psilocin, DMT and DET, all belong to this general chemical class. Serotonin, the naturally occurring neurohormone in the central nervous system of man, is also a tryptamine derivative (5 hydroxytryptamine). Tryptamine is readily obtainable from m'any sources and can be chemically modified to one of the potent hallucinogenic agents with little difficulty. morning glory seeds

Although the current rage for morning glory seeds is several years old, evidence of their use can be traced back in centuries. These seeds were used extensively by South American civilizations hundreds of years ago. Morning glory came into its own in this country in the early 60's when a series of scientific artidles were published demonstrating the connection between morning glory and LSD. The popular and '~beat" press provided complete coverage so that any individual who had not heard of the marvelous seeds was a rarity. Morning glory seeds contain lysergic acid amide, an alkaloidal derivative about one-tenth as potent as LSD. Hoffer 15 lists the various varieties of seeds and the percentage of alkaloid by weight. The seeds can be prepared as a tea or chewed to obtain the desired hallucinatory effect. Emesis, diarrhea and dizziness are frequent accompanying reactions and suicides have been reported. stp serenity, tranquility, peace, DOM

STP (4-methyl-2,5-dimethoxy alpha methyl phenethylamine) is chemically related to mescaline and amphetamine. Studies indicate that STP will produce hallucinogenic effects in doses greater than three mg and .m ild euphoria in lower doses. One report indicated a two mg dose would produce a mild reaction up to four hours, 3.2 mg would produce pronounced hallucinogenic effeots lasting up to ten hours. Another study found that doses in excess of five mg always produced

student researcher receives award

Student Kenneth Healey (left) receives plaque for his research achievement from John Fin/ator of the Bureau of Drug Abuse Control.

marked hallucinogenic effects whose intensity and duration were related to the dose. There have been reports that this drug could produce hallucinogenic reactions up to 72 hours and could be intensified with the use of chlorpromazine. STP was found to be 100 times more potent than mescaline and I j 30th as potent as LSD. Black market preparations of this drug are estimated to 'c ontain 10 mg in each dosage unit. Pharmacological effects include pupillary dilation, increased pulse rate, increased systolic blood pressure, slight temperature increase, moderate euphoria and slight perceptual effects. Toxic effects include nausea, sweating, paresthesia and tremors. Perceptural changes include blurred vision, multiple :i mages, vibration of objects, visual hallucination, distorted shapes, enhancement of details, slowed passage of time and increased contrasts. Many persons who allegedly have used STP have suffered severe reactions according to reports from a number of hospitals. other drugs with abuse potential

There is an ever continuing search on the part of the thri1l seeking portion of our population for agents which will alter the state of consciousness. Through a systematic method of experimentation, each product on a pharmacist's over-the-counter shelf will be tried for its "kick" potential. Several products, when subjected to this type df experimentation, may proOn a duce altered consoiousness. pharmacology basis, these products m:ight be predicted. One class of products is the nonprescription and sedative sleeping preparations. These formulations usually contain antihistamines and scopolamine which have been shown to produce hallucinations from high doses.

A high school senior from Decatur, Georgia, who has been winning science fair awards since seventh grade, has received the government's first achievement award for scientific research in drug ia buse control. Kenneth Healey, 17, in his research project, subjected spiders to LSD for nearly a year and demonstrated effects of the hallucinogenic drug by photographing webs spun by spiders while they were under the influence of the drug. Photos show disruption of normal web patterns following LSD use. The student researcher obtained the LSD only after extensive correspondence with federal agencies. As a tenth grader, Healey won first place in the science fair with an exhibit showing the effects of depressants on spiders. For his efforts on the LSD research, Healey was named ,t he Georgia Power Company's Aflanta division winner of its annual National Youth Conference on the Atom award and also won a first-place ribbon in the zoology division of the Georgia State Fair.

In addition some of these products contain salicylamide which from very high doses produces sedation. Another class of drugs which has a potential fo.r ibeing abused is the class of cold products which contain dextromethorphan, antihistamines and decongestants. Dextromethorphan in large doses produces a central effect; .combined with high doses of antihistamines and decongestants, the drug may give an effect which some individuals might think of as "way out." In the methods with which drug abusers operate, combinations of one or more prO'ducts seem to be a favorite means of getting "kicks." There have been severall reports of abuse of little known drugs or combinations of drugs. One of these, ZNA, is a mixture of dill weed and monosodium glutaJrnate. The mixture is smoked and said to produce a central effect. Information is lacking on the specific qualities of this effect. Another report lists wild carrot or Queen Anne's Lace :as a product capable of altering the mind. Wild carrot (Dacus carota) grows wild in many parts of the country. The tops are dried and smoked for the desired effect. As with ZNA, the type of effect caused by this material is not known. One of the poisonous mushrooms is suggested for its central effects by a recent "hippie" publication. Amanita muscaria (fly agaric or Egyptian mushroom) grows will d in many parts of the country. The deadly poison, muscarine, produced by this species, is a potent drug which acts on the autonomic nervous system in a manner similar to that of pilocarpine. Its extreme toxicity prevents its use in modern medicine. If use of this mushroom becomes a popular "jag," we might expect to see a rash of mushroom poisonings being reported to our hospitals and poison control centers.

The effects of the drug are counteracted by atropine. Lately saffron has been reported to be 'centrally active when smoked. The source of the famous saffiower oil has not been shown to have any effect by published studies but it is being tried in certain parts of the country. Since many of these trials and abuses begin in localized areas of the country, a pharmacist may be the first to note a rush on a particular product. By communicating this information to' his colleagues in other parts of the state or country, he may be providing an effective system to combat the abuses, since other phamlacists will be able to control their distribution of the abused products. references 1. Goth, A., Medical Pharmacology, 3rd ed., C.V. Mosby Co., St. Louis, 287(1966) 2. Krantz, J.C., and Carr, C.J., Pharmacologic Principles of Medical Practice, 6th ed., Williams and Williams Co., Baltimore, 387 (1965) 3. Mills, J., The Panic in Needle Park, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York (1966) 4. Krantz, J.G., and Carr, C.J., loco cit., 376 5. Martin, W.R., in Drill's Pharmacology in Medicine, 3rd ed., McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 284 (1965) 6. Swafford, W.E., Smithsonian Report, 537 (1920) 7. Thienes, C.H., and Haley, T.J., Clinical Toxicology, Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia, 25 (1964) 8. Beach, G.O., N. Eng. J. Med., 270, 1354(1964) 9. Bernstein, S.,and Leff, R., N. Eng. J. Med., 277, 638(1967) 10. Preble, E., and Laury, G., Int. J. Addictions, 2, 271 (1967 ) 11. Payne, R.B., N. Eng. J. Med., 269, 36(1963 ) 12. Kalant, O.J., The Amphetamines, Toxicity and Addiction, Charles C Thomas, Springfield, Ill. ( 1966 ) 13. Winick, C., Drug Addiction in Youth, ed. by Ernest Hanns, Pergamon Press, New York, 21 (1965) 14. Barron, F., Jarvik, M.E., Bunnell, S., Scientific American, 210, 29( 1964) 15. Zelleneger, H., McDonald, J.S., Abbo, G., The Lancet, 2, 1066(Nov. 18,1967) 16. Hoffer, A., Clin. Pharmacol. and Therap., 6, 183 (1965) 17. Cohen, S., J. Nerv. and Ment. Dis., 130, 30(1960)

Vol. NS8, No.1, January 1968

27