Presents
Drug Identification
By
Nathan McLeish & Brandon Rosen
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MANTF OFFICE 701-382-9820
MANTF On-Call 701-391-3274
Nate McLeish 701-400-9737
Brandon Rosen 701-989-1063
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Identify the top drugs that are abused in North
Dakota
Identify common terms for drugs of abuse
Understand price ranges for drugs of abuse
Identify the effects that drugs of abuse have on
individuals
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Marijuana
Methamphetamine
Prescription Medications
Cocaine
Heroin
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To feel good - to have novel feelings,
sensations, experiences and to share them
To feel better - to lessen anxiety, worries, fear,
depression, and hopelessness.
Addiction - to lessen withdrawal symptoms
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Most widely abused illegal drug
THC levels determine potency
High grade vs. low grade
Nug vs. Schwag
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Marijuana is an addictive drug with significant
health consequences.
Short term: memory loss, distorted perception,
trouble with thinking, problem solving, loss of
motor skills, decrease muscle strength, increase
heart rate and anxiety.
Long term: According to HIH, studies show
that someone who smokes five joints per week
may be taking in as many cancer causing
chemicals as a full pack of cigarettes.
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The Institute of Medicine conducted a
comprehensive study in 1999 to assess the
potential health benefits of marijuana and its
constituent cannabinoids. The study concluded
that smoking marijuana is not recommended for
the treatment of any disease condition. In
addition, there are more effective medications
currently available.
In addition, in a recent study by the Mayo Clinic,
THC was shown to be less effective than standard
treatments in helping cancer patients regain lost
appetites.
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Marijuana affects many skills required for safe
driving: alertness, the ability to concentrate,
coordination, and reaction time. These effects
can last up to 24 hours after smoking
marijuana. Marijuana use can make it difficult
to judge distances and react to signals and
signs on the road.
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Drugs prices for Marijuana
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High Grade Marijuana “NUG”
 $350-$480 per ounce, $60 for 1/8
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Low Grade Marijuana “SCHWAG”
 $150-$250 per ounce
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Common items needed
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Hashish is the concentrated resin produced by
the cannabis plant
Hashish on average is eight to ten times more
potent than marijuana
HASHISH OIL;
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Highly concentrated cannabis with purity that may
reach 60%. 30-40 times stronger than cannabis and
up to four times as strong as hashish. Because of its
concentration of THC, hash oil is the closet to pure
THC available to users.
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Methamphetamine is a methylated form of
amphetamine which is able to produce more
intensified amphetamine effects
Methamphetamine crosses the blood brain
barrier more rapidly which increases its
psychoactive effects.
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ICE has the appearance of a clear, chunky crystals
resembling shaved ice or broken glass whereas
methamphetamine is normally found as an off
white powder
ICE is smoked in a manner similar to crack cocaine
The ICE high lasts from 2-24 hours depending on a
person’s biochemistry
A crack cocaine high lasts 15-20 minutes
Users refer to smoking ICE as a “cool smoke” and
easier to smoke than powdered methamphetamine
ICE stimulates the brain more than powdered
meth
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$200 for a gram
$450-$700 for 1/8 of an ounce “eight-ball”
$2000-$4000 per ounce
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Injected
Snorted
Smoked
Orally
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Rapid weight loss
Nervous energy
No need for sleep
Aggressiveness
Mean temperament
Compulsive
Excited talk
Smacking of the mouth
Physical
Heart Rate rises
Blood Pressure rises
Pupil size increases
Energy increases
Appetite decreases
No need for sleep
Slower reaction time
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Psychological
Confidence increases
Alertness increases
Mood swings
Sex drive increases
Energy/Talkactive
Boredom
Loneliness
Timid/Sketchy
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Confusion
Concentration
Hallucinations
Fatigue
Memory loss
Insomnia
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Irritability
Paranoia
Panic reactions
Depression
Anger
Psychosis
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Many clandestine labs are discovered as a
result of a fire or explosion
Clean-up costs for a clandestine lab can range
from $15,000.00 to $500,000.00
All clan labs use dangerous chemicals that are
flammable, explosive, or toxic
All clan labs are transported at one time or
another
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P2P (BIKER GANGS)
RED PHOSPHORUS (MEXICAN)
NAZI (ANHYDROUS AMMONIA) current
trend--most encountered in North Dakota
Stationary
 Mobile
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Mexican Drug Cartels currently make 95% of
the methamphetamine consumed in the US
Lab seizures are increasing in some states,
decreasing in others
Dramatic decrease in lab numbers in ND
Ingredients still readily available
Recipes available on the internet
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There are approximately 48 different methods
to illegally manufacture Methamphetamine.
The “Super Labs” in Mexico utilize the
Ephedrine-Reduction or Red Phosphorous
Method, that produce 100-200 lbs per “Cook”.
Approximately 95% of the labs seized in North
Dakota utilize the Lithium-Reduction (“Nazi”)
Method
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The most popular method by far by Mexican
Super labs
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accessibility of chemicals
easy to manufacture
Chemicals needed
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Ephedrine or pseudo, red phosphorus, hydriodic
acid (iodine crystals), sodium hydroxide, organic
solvents (ether, freon, acetone), and hydrogen
chloride gas (sulfuric acid and salt)
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Fastest Growing in popularity
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Predominately in the Mid-West and ND
Chemicals Needed
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Ephedrine or pseudo, anhydrous ammonia, sodium
or lithium metal, sodium hydroxide, organic
solvents (ether, camping fuel, acetone), and
hydrogen chloride gas (sulfuric acid and salt)
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Anhydrous Ammonia - Corrosive and toxic
gas, irritant to eyes, nose, and throat. Can
cause frostbite and burn skin. May be fatal if
inhaled
Sodium and Lithium Metal - water and air
reactive. Corrosive, flammable solid.
Sodium Hydroxide - Causes severe eye and
skin burns. Respiratory tract irritant,
Corrosive.
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Used to be most popular in 1980’s
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big with the Biker Gangs
low yield ratio
Chemicals Needed
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Phenyl-2-propanone, methylamine, mercuric
chloride, alcohol (methanol, ethanol, or isopropyl),
aluminum strips, hydrochloric acid, and acetone
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Precursor
Reagent
Solvent
Catalyst
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A chemical that is essential to the production of
a controlled substance and for which no
substitution can be made.
Pseudoephedrine/Ephedrine – Meth
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Chemical which reacts upon precursor causing
it to chemically change
Iodine-meth
Sulfuric Acid (battery acid) – Meth
Hydrochloric Acid (Muriatic Acid) – Meth
Epson Salt (Meth)
Anhydrous Ammonia - Meth
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Chemical which speeds up a reaction process
and/or causes it to go to greater completion.
Red Phosphorous – Meth
Lithium Metal – Meth
Sodium Metal – Meth
Hydrogen (H2) – Meth
Thorium Nitrate – P-2-P
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Medium (liquid) in which a chemical operation
takes place.
Coleman fuel, acetone, starting fluid, naptha,
methanol, toluene, - Meth
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Water source
Electrical source
Knowledge of process
Privacy
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Reaction vessels
Heating mantles
Funnels (Buchner)
Miscellaneous glassware
Compressed gas cylinder
Rubber gloves, air purifying respirators, etc…
Grinders
 Safety!
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What to look for;
Large number of blister packs
 Coffee filters stained pink or brown
 Red, pink, gray, or white stained cookware/jars
 Odor of cat urine, ammonia, ether, or acetone
 Little or no traffic during the day
 Residents never put out the trash
 Covered windows
 Occupant unemployed but seems to have plenty of
cash
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Protect Personal Safety
Avoid contact
 Minimize exposure
 Do not smoke in or near clandestine drug lab
 Never touch, taste or smell any type of equipment or
chemicals in or near a clandestine drug lab
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Safety Rules
Do not enter an unknown environment
 Observe from a distance
 Do not unnecessarily expose yourself
 Always request assistance
 Stay upwind and up gradient
 Avoid areas of odor, discoloration, visibility
impairment, etc.
 Evacuate immediate area
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LAB CERTIFIED PERSONNEL SHOULD BE
THE ONLY ONES HANDLING AND
PROCESSING LABORATORY EVIDENCE
WAIT UNTIL THOSE PERSONNEL ARRIVE
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Call the Metro Area Narcotics Task Force
Do not attempt to stop the chemical reaction
Do not turn any electrical switches; as this
could trigger an explosion
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Is white crystalline substance chemically
known as benzoylmethylecgonine, which
comes from the coca plant
Powerful stimulant with both physical and
psychological addictive properties
Cocaine is extracted from the coca leaf of the
plant
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History
In 1886 Coca-Cola contained cocaine as one of its
ingredients
During this time cocaine was touted as a cure for
many illnesses
Medical uses of cocaine
Classified under Federal Law as a scheduled II
substance which indicates a high potential for
physical and/or psychological dependence but
there is an accepted med use. Today it is used as a
topical anesthetic in nose and throat surgery due
to its vasoconstrictive properties
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Pharmacological Effect
Powerful CNS stimulant which is capable of
producing both physical and psychological
dependance
Cocaine hydrochloride (powder) is the most
common form of cocaine powder sold in the
US
Cocaine can be inhaled, snorted, injected, and
smoked once converted into “crack”
Cocaine alters neurotransmitters and prevents
their re-absorption into the system (dopamine)
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Effects on the body
Increase in mood, energy and confidence
 Decrease in appetite, weight loss
 Psychosis
 Increases in blood pressure and heart rate
 Heart attack, stroke,
 Seizure
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Cocaine base (Crack Cocaine)
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Cocaine converted to its base – a purer form that is
smoked
Pharmacological effects
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When smoked, the onset of action is within seconds,
duration of action is 10 to 15 minutes and a “crash”
so severe following use that the user seeks out more
crack to smoke
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$100 per gram
$1500-$2000 per ounce
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Commonly used prescription drugs
Opioids are mostly used to treat pain ex.
Morphine,
Central Nervous system (CNS) depressants are
used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders ex.
Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines
Stimulants are prescribed to treat the sleep
disorder narcolepsy and attention-deficit
disorder (ADHD)e
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The main prescription opioids people in ND
abuse are:
Oxycodone (OxyContin)
Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
Codeine
Meperidine (Demerol)
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1. Unlawful Possession
2. Unlawful delivery of legitimately prescribed
drugs
3. Altering/Fraudulent Prescriptions
4. Theft of Prescription Drugs
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Heroin is a narcotic which acts on the CNS as
both a depressant and analgesic
It’s pain relief properties are 2-3 times more
potent than morphine, and its ability to
produce euphoria is ten times more effective
than morphine
It often is mixed with other substances (sugar,
starch or poison (strychnine)
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What are club drugs?
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Club drugs include a variety of drugs used at bars
and dance parties, especially by high school and
college students
Many people wrongly believe club drugs are safe
Some club drugs are also used as date rape drugs!
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Rohypnol is 10 times stronger than Valium
Often ordered on-line
Physical effects
Decreased blood pressure, slurred speech,
impaired judgement, trouble walking, muscle
pain blackouts
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Ketamine is a white powder, which can be
added to drinks, snorted or smoked
Ketamine has no smell or taste, so it is hard to
detect
Moderate to high doses can lead to a feeling in
which a person’s senses shut down
High doses can cause heart attack, stroke, coma
and death
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GHB is made in illegal labs
At moderate doses GHB can cause coma-like
sleep
If GHB is mixed with alcohol, overdose and
death can result
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GHB, Rohypnol, and Ketamine have been
linked to date rape
People who take these drugs may be unable to
resist sexual acts
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Ecstasy use began in clubs but has spread to
other social settings
Physical effects
Ecstasy provides an intense euphoric high
Provides energy for dancing
Causes increases in heart rate, blood pressure,
nausea, loss of appetite, jaw tightness and teeth
clenching (“pacifier use”)
Ecstasy kills nerve cells in the brain
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Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Psilocybin and Psilocin (Mushrooms)
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LSD is sold as tablets or dissolved onto blotter
paper
It has a slightly bitter taste
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PCP – is a unique drug which has varying
effects, at different dose levels. PCP can be a
stimulant, a depressant, produce psychotic
effects and analgesia
PCP can not be placed in one drug category; it
is the only drug which can fit in all three major
drug categories and considered by many to be
the “worst” psychoactive drug found.
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Effects similar to LSD
Psychoactive effects are dose related and
usually a pleasant experience is reported in
about 15 minutes and peaks in about 90
minutes
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Referred to as “herbal synthetics”
Dramatic use of these drugs in ND as well as
nationwide
Biggest consumers are high school/college age
students as well as “inmates” at transitional
centers
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Chemical name
JWH-018 1-Pentyl-31-Pentyl-3
(1-naphthoyl)
Sold as Red X Dawn-Spark, K2, Karma Kind,
Herbal Insight, Purple Stick Kraton, Spice, Gold
and many others
**Effects are very similar to THC. Affinity to the
cannabinoid receptor is 5 times greater than THC
Sold for between $20-45 dollars at stores
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Inhalants
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Toxic substances which are voluntarily inhaled for
the purpose of altering moods
contain extremely dangerous multiple compounds
such as alcohol, ketone, Freon, and hydrocarbons
symptoms often mask those of the common cold
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Dry cleaning fluid
Spot remover
Degreaser
Whipped cream
Whippets
Gas
Liquid/local
anesthetics
Airplane glue
Rubber cement
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Spray paint
Hair spray
White-out or thinner
Air freshener
Asthma spray
Nail polish
Nail polish remover
Lighter fluid
VCR head cleaner
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Guns and weapons are found at most search
warrants encountered by members of the drug
task force
Often, drug dealers carry weapons to further
their criminal activities
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Pay Owe Sheets “Ledgers”
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Pay owe sheets are ledgers kept by drug dealers for
purposes of drug transactions
This evidence is very important to have when
prosecuting an individual for possession with intent
to distribute
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Money is what keeps drug dealers in business
The best way to damage a drug organization is
to take their money and assets using asset
forfeiture