The document discusses the classification of different types of drugs, including narcotics, hallucinogens, depressants, and stimulants. Narcotics relieve pain by depressing the central nervous system. Hallucinogens like marijuana cause changes in thought processes and perceptions. Depressants calm irritability and anxiety and may induce sleep by depressing the central nervous system. Stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine increase alertness but ultimately all of these drug types can potentially lead to death if misused.

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©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd
ed.
By Richard Saferstein
CLASSIFICATION
OF
DRUGS

2. 5-2
©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd
ed.
By Richard Saferstein
Introduction
• A drug can be defined as a natural or synthetic
substance that is used to produce physiological
or psychological effects in humans or other
higher order animals.
• Narcotic drugs are analgesics, meaning they
relieve pain by a depressing action on the
central nervous system. This effects functions
such as blood pressure, pulse rate and
breathing rate.

3. 5-3
©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd
ed.
By Richard Saferstein
Hallucinogens
• Another class of drugs is hallucinogens;
marijuana is the most well-known member of
this class.
• Hallucinogens cause marked changes in normal
thought processes, perceptions, and moods.
• It causes short-term memory loss, visual
impairment, anxiety reactions, and much more.

4. 5-4
©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd
ed.
By Richard Saferstein
Depressants
• Depressants are another class of drugs.
• Depressants are substances used to depress the
functions of the central nervous system.
• Depressants calm irritability and anxiety and
may induce sleep.

5. 5-5
©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd
ed.
By Richard Saferstein
Depressants
•Alcohol enters the body’s bloodstream and
quickly travels to the brain, where it acts to
suppress the brain’s control of thought processes
and muscle coordination.

6. 5-6
©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd
ed.
By Richard Saferstein
Stimulants
• The drug classification of stimulants includes
amphetamines, sometimes known as “uppers”
or “speed,” and cocaine.
• Stimulants are substances taken to increase
alertness or activity, followed by a decrease in
fatigue and a loss of appetite.

7. 5-7
©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd
ed.
By Richard Saferstein
Stimulants
•Cocaine, extracted from the leaves of Erythroxylin
coca, causes increased alertness and vigor,
accompanied by the suppression of hunger, fatigue,
and boredom.

8. 5-8
©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2nd
ed.
By Richard Saferstein
CONCLUSION
• Overall, depressants, stimulants, and
hallucinogens have different types of
effects, but all those different effects can
lead to 1 main effect, death.