Transcript Drug presentation Johnny McCarthy.pot - OldForensics 2012-2013

Barbiturate
Johnny McCarthy
Period 3
Names
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The common name is simply barbiturates.
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They are derivatives of barbituric acid.
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The IUPAC name for barbiturates is
Pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione.
Some street names that are used include:
Amytal, Downers, Nembutal, Phenobarbital,
Reds, Red birds, Red devils, Seconal, Tuninal,
Yellowjackets.
Since there are several types of barbiturates
with different properties there is not one
chemical formula.
One commonly used barbiurate is
Phenobarbital with a chemical formula of
C12H18N2O3.
Classification
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Barbiturates are under the classification of a depressant
because of the way the affect the central nervous system.
Pentobarbital, amobarbital and secobarbital are listed as
Schedule II drugs while the other types of barbiturates are in
Schedule III and Schedule IV.
The reason that there is a difference in the Schedules is
because some are more likely to cause people to be addicted.
These include psychological and physical condition.
There is accepted medical use, but they are slow to be
prescribed because they are so addicting.
History
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Adolf von Baeyer, a German chemist, was the first to identify
barbituric acid in 1905. However, it did not originally have its central
nervous system depressant qualities.
Years later, German scientists Emil Hermann Fischer and Joseph
von Mering made some modifications to its structure and
synthesized barbital. Scientists had been looking for something to
treat anxiety.
Phenobarbital was first used for medical practice in 1913.
It was quick acting, but their overuse was apparent all over the
world. In the 1950s in Denmark, more than 70% of those going to
the poison control center had been using some type of a
barbiturate.
Production
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Barbiturates are synthetically made. The common component
in all types is barbituric acid which is made of carbon,
hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen.
There are twenty-five barbiturates that are allowed for medical
use in the United States alone.
In 1966, there were over 16 million prescriptions for different
types of barbiturates in the United Kindgdom.
Users
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Many of those who end up abusing this drug
were first prescribed it, but because of its
addictive qualities end up overusing it.
The medical use of barbiturates has
decreased in recent time.
A recent high school survey suggests that
more younger people are using it now than
before. The reason for this may be that they
are trying to counter the effects of other drugs.
Affects
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This drug is most commonly taken in pill form although it can be consumed
in a liquid form. Another way to take is injecting it, but this is not common.
Some abusers crush the pill into powder and then mix it with water to drink.
Psychological Effects: Like alcohol inebriation, but with greater euphoria
and disinhibition. Higher doses can lead to memory loss, greater
impairment in judgment, paranoia and suicidal thoughts.
Physical Effects: Sleepiness, slurred speech, decreased respiration, and
can lead to death. Tolerance develops quickly, and danger of an overdose,
especially when taken with another drug, is high.
This drug has high potential for addiction.
As of 2005, barbiturates were used primarily for presurgical and surgical
anesthesia. Before they were commonly used as sedatives.
Risks
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Barbiturates act on the body in a similar way that alcohol does. It creates a
drowsiness effect.
Some symptoms from mild use include shallow breathing, fatigue, frequent
yawning, and irritability.
Heavy use can result in more severe reactions from the user such
unpredictable actions or confused emotional feelings.
If a user uses to much they can overdose and go into a coma with reduced
breathing. Some times abusers stop breathing which is abusers die.
The LD50 for cats varied based on the type of barbiturateseconal, 50 mg.
per Kg.; pentobarbital, 100; the barbiturate of sigmodal, 110; pernoston,
135; phenobarbital, 175.
Detection
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Barbiturates are most
commonly tested for
through a urine test.
Depending on what type
of barbiturate was taken,
the detection time varies
from four to seven days.
Consequences
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All people who have possession of
any type of barbiturates must have a
prescription.
The first offense can result in up to a
year in prison and/or thousands of
dollars in fines. Penalties increase
with additional offenses.
Selling or distributing barbiturates
illegally is a serious crime that could
result in long prison sentences with
million dollar fines.
Treatment
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When users who have been abusing
barbiturates for awhile stop they must do so
under medical eyes.
If a user were to stop immediate the
withdrawal phase could be fatal.
It is common for those who are trying stop
abusing barbiturates to be weened off so that
withdrawal symptoms are not as severe.