What is angel dust What does it affect?

Answer 1

Phencyclidine (PCP) was originally developed as an anesthetic, but the adverse side effects prevented its use except as a large animal tranquilizer. PCP acts as both a depressant and a hallucinogen,and sometimes as a stimulant. It is abused primarily for its variety of mood-altering effects. Low does produce sedation and euphoric mood changes. The mood can change rapidly from sedation to excitation and agitation. Larger doses may produce a coma-like condition with muscle rigidity and a blank stare with the eyelids half closed. Sudden noises or physical shocks may cause "freak out" in which the person has abnormal strength, extremely violent behavior, and an inability to speak or comprehend communication.

Description

Generic/Chemical Names: Phencyclidine

Common Street Names: Angel dust; peace pills; hog; killer weed;mint; monkey; dust; supergrass; Tran Q; weed.

Distinguishing Characteristics: PCP is commonly sold as a creamy, granular powder. It is either brown or white and often packaged in one-inch square aluminum foil or folded paper packets. Occasionally, it is sold in capsule, tablet, or liquid form. It is sometimes combined with procaine, a local anesthetic, and sold as imitation cocaine.

Paraphernalia: Foil or paper packets; stamps; (off which PCP is licked); needles, syringes, and tourniquets (for injection); leafy herbs (for smoking).

Method of Intake: In pill, capsule, or tablet for, PCP may be ingested. It is commonly injected as "angel dust". It may be smoked or snorted when applied to leafy materials or combined with marijuana or tobacco.

Duration of Single Dose Effect: Days

Detection Time: Up to 8 days.

Dependency Level: Psychological dependence on PCP is known to be high. Physical dependence is unknown.

Signs and Symptoms of Use

Evidence of Presence of PCP: Packets; stamps; injection paraphernalia; herbs.

Physical Symptoms: Dilated or floating pupils; blurred vision; nystagmus (jerky eye movement); drooling; muscle rigidity; profuse sweating; decreased sensitivity to pain; dizziness; drowsiness; impaired physical coordination (e.g. drunken-like walk, staggering); severe disorientation; rapid heartbeat.

Behavioral Symptoms: Anxiety; panic/fear/terror; aggressive/violent behavior; distorted perception; severe confusion and agitation; disorganization; mood swings; poor perception of time and distance; poor judgement; auditory hallucinations.

Health Effects

The potential for accidents and overdose emergencies is high due to the extreme mental effects combined with the anesthetic effect on the body.

PCP is potentiated by other depressant drugs, including alcohol, increasing the likelihood of an overdose reaction.

Misdiagnosing the hallucinations as LSD induced, and then treating with Thorazine, can cause a fatal reaction.

Use can cause irreversible memory loss, personality changes, and other disorders.

There are four phases to PCP abuse. The first phase is acute toxicity. It can last up to three days and can include combativeness, catatonia, convulsions, and coma. Distortions of size, shape, and distance perception are common. The second phase, which does not always follow the first, is toxic psychosis. Users may experience visual and auditory delusions, paranoia, and agitation. The third phase, is a drug-induced schizophrenia that may last a month or longer. The fourth phase is PCP-induced depression. Suicidal tendencies and mental dysfunction can last for months.

Effects on Mental Performance

• Irreversible memory loss.
• Personality changes.
• Thought disorders.
• Hallucination

Effects on Driver Performance

The distortions in perception, and potential visual and auditory make driver performance unpredictable and dangerous. PCP use can cause drowsiness, convulsions, paranoia, agitation, or coma, all obviously dangerous to driving.

Overdose Effects

• Longer, more intense "trip" episodes
• Psychosis
• Coma
• Possible death

Workplace Issues

PCP abuse is less common today than in recent years. It is also not generally used in a workplace setting because of the severe disorientation that occurs.

References

Federal Highway Administration, Office of Motor Carriers, "Guidelines for Implementing the FHWA Anti-Drug Program," Publication No. FHWA-MC-91-014, March 1992.

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Angel Dust, or PCP, is an illegal drug and very dangerous. We do not give out instructions on performing illegal acts.