about the therapeutic, pharmacological, or psychological effects.
However,
doses of 1 to 3 milligrams produce euphoria; doses of more than 3 milligrams
can cause strong hallucinations lasting from 8 to 10 hours.
One of the
approved investigators of the drug states that STP is almost 200 times more
powerful than Mescaline.
However, it is only one-tenth as potent as LSD.
"STP" is not found in nature.
It is synthesized in the laboratory and has
appeared in illegal channels in tablet form. Several deaths have been reported
following its use. It is believed that several compounds are being illicitly
peddled under the name STP.
g. Non-Narcotic, Prescription-Type Drugs.
(1) Barbiturates are the so-called sleeping pills. Street names include
"goofballs," "red devils," and "yellow jackets." Medically, it is a class of
drugs containing barbituric acid.
The drug is a depressant and causes both
physical and psychological dependence.
Barbiturates are used for epilepsy,
high blood pressure and insomnia.
They are also used in the treatment and
diagnosis of mental disorders.
They are used before surgery.
They are
prescribed for almost every kind of illness or special situation requiring
sedation. Either they are prescribed alone or in combination with other drugs.
(a) Barbiturate intoxication resembles alcoholic intoxication.
The
user exhibits slurred speech and staggering gait. His reactions are sluggish.
(b) Tolerance is built rapidly.
With the physically dependent
barbiturate abuser, abrupt withdrawal is extremely dangerous.
During
withdrawal, convulsions of the grand mal (severe epilepsy) type occur and can
be fatal. Withdrawal should always be supervised by a physician.
(c) Physiological dependence on barbiturates is harder to overcome
than addiction to heroin; it takes from 5 to 6 days to clear the body.
(d) Barbiturates can be taken orally or by injection.
(e) Accidental death, caused by overdose, is a danger of barbiturate
abuse because of the following phenomena:
1. Errors in the perception of time passage occur at a given
level of barbiturate intake.
2. The absorption rate is slow; drug reactions are delayed after
barbiturates. Large quantities in the stomach diminish gastric and intestinal
function and further delay absorption.
The user does not get the desired
effect within what seems like a long time; so he continues to take tablet after
tablet until he is unconscious. In the process, he may ingest a lethal dose.
MP0100
6-16
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