(4) Use of amphetamines or "uppers" to excess causes mental depression
and fatigue whenever the drug is withdrawn from the user.
Psychological
dependence is common, but physical dependence is uncommon.
(5) Persons under the influence of amphetamines or "uppers" may show any
of the following symptoms:
(a) Extremely talkative.
(b) Excitable.
(c) Restless.
(6) The most popular abuse of this type of drug is by truck drivers who
wish to stay awake for prolonged periods of time. Also, college students abuse
this drug. They do so when they want to stay awake and alert to study a long
time before an examination.
i. Illegal Traffic in Non-Narcotic Drugs.
(1) Most amphetamines and barbiturates that find their way to the
illegal market are manufactured legally. The diversion of these legal drugs to
the illegal market occurs through larceny from medical supply sources. A large
amount comes from dishonest suppliers.
(2) In the military we have a large medical treatment operation.
As
investigators, you must realize that our medical facilities may well be the
source of illegal drugs in the area where you work.
5.
Investigation of Narcotic Deaths.
excessive amounts will poison the body.
These poisoning effects will cause
heart failure or lead to a paralysis of the respiratory center.
The latter
results in denial of a sufficient amount of oxygen to the body. Asphyxia is
the direct or primary cause of death; poisoning (which leads to asphyxia) is
the secondary cause.
b. The effects caused by the action of a particular drug or narcotic on
the physical bodily functions are often joined by self-evident signs. Some of
these remain after death, and are available for interpretation by the trained
observer.
Listed below is a partial listing of the more common signs of
poisoning due to the taking of narcotics or dangerous drugs.
These are not
infallible; confirmation is made only on the basis of additional environmental,
historical, and toxicological data.
MP0100
6-18
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