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Practice Exams

Module 7.10: Drug Identification & Dangerous Drugs Testing

I. Classification of Dangerous Drugs

Drugs are often classified based on their primary effect on the central nervous system (CNS).

  1. Stimulants ("Uppers"):
    • Effect: Speed up the CNS, leading to increased alertness, energy, and a sense of euphoria.
    • Examples:
      • Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (Shabu): The most abused drug in the Philippines. A powerful and highly addictive stimulant.
      • Cocaine: A stimulant derived from the coca plant.
      • Ecstasy (MDMA): A synthetic drug with both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties.

Ang Stimulants o "Uppers" ay nag-speed up ng Central Nervous System (CNS) - kaya increased alertness, energy, at euphoria ang nararamdaman. Ang pinaka-abused drug sa Pilipinas ay SHABU (Methamphetamine HCl) - highly addictive stimulant ito! Iba pang examples: Cocaine (from coca plant) at Ecstasy/MDMA (synthetic drug na may stimulant at hallucinogenic effects). Para maalala: Uppers = nag-UP ng energy!

  1. Depressants ("Downers"):

    • Effect: Slow down the CNS, leading to relaxation, drowsiness, and reduced anxiety. Overdoses are highly dangerous as they can stop breathing.
    • Examples:
      • Opiates/Opioids: (e.g., Heroin, Morphine, Codeine, Fentanyl).
      • Benzodiazepines: (e.g., Valium, Xanax). Often abused prescription drugs.
      • Alcohol: The most common and legal depressant.

  2. Hallucinogens ("Psychedelics"):

    • Effect: Alter a person's perception of reality, causing hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren't there).
    • Examples:
      • Marijuana (Cannabis): The second most abused drug in the Philippines. Its active ingredient is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
      • LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide): A potent hallucinogen.
      • Psilocybin ("Magic Mushrooms").

Ang Hallucinogens o "Psychedelics" ay nag-alter ng perception of reality - kaya may hallucinations (nakakakita, nakakarinig, o nakakaramdam ng mga bagay na hindi naman totoo). Ang MARIJUANA (Cannabis) ay pangalawang most abused drug sa Pilipinas - ang active ingredient nito ay THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). Iba pang examples: LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide - potent hallucinogen) at Psilocybin (magic mushrooms). Para maalala: Hallucinogens = HALLUCINATIONS!

Board Exam Tip: Memorize: Shabu = #1 most abused (stimulant). Marijuana = #2 most abused (hallucinogen). These are the TOP 2 in the Philippines!

III. Drug Testing under RA 9165

RA 9165 mandates drug testing in various circumstances to deter drug use. Forensic chemists also perform this function, analyzing biological samples (usually urine) instead of seized powders or plants.

A. The Drug Testing Process

The process for analyzing a urine sample is similar to analyzing a seized drug: it requires both a screening and a confirmatory test.

  1. Screening (Immunoassay): A rapid and automated test that detects the presence of drug metabolites in the urine. A positive result here is considered a "presumptive positive."
  2. Confirmation (GC-MS): If the screening test is positive, the same urine sample must then be subjected to a confirmatory test using GC-MS to eliminate the possibility of a false positive and provide a legally defensible result.

Important: A person cannot be declared "positive for drug use" based on a screening test alone. The confirmatory test is mandatory.

B. Who can be Drug Tested?

RA 9165 provides for two types of drug testing:

  1. Mandatory Drug Testing: Required for:

    • Applicants for a driver's license.
    • Applicants for a firearms license.
    • Applicants for admission to military, police, or other law enforcement service.
    • All persons charged before the prosecutor's office with a crime punishable by imprisonment of more than 6 years and 1 day.
    • All candidates for public office.

  2. Random Drug Testing: Can be conducted for:

    • Students in secondary and tertiary schools.
    • Employees in all public and private offices.

(Note: The Supreme Court has struck down some mandatory testing provisions, such as for all criminal defendants regardless of the crime, as unconstitutional. The list above reflects the generally enforced provisions).

C. Chain of Custody

In both seized drug analysis and drug testing, the Chain of Custody is critically important. This is the chronological paper trail showing the seizure, custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of physical or electronic evidence. An unbroken chain of custody is required to prove in court that the evidence analyzed is the same evidence seized at the scene.

Introduction

One of the largest and busiest sections of any modern crime laboratory is Forensic Chemistry, and a vast majority of its work involves the identification of controlled substances or "dangerous drugs." The fight against illegal drugs relies heavily on the ability of forensic chemists to definitively identify a seized substance. This module will cover the classification of common drugs of abuse, the analytical process for their identification, and the legal and procedural requirements for drug testing as mandated by Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Key Learning Objectives:

  • Classify drugs based on their pharmacological effects.
  • Identify the most common drugs of abuse in the Philippines.
  • Differentiate between screening tests and confirmatory tests.
  • Describe the key instruments used in confirmatory drug testing.
  • Understand the legal requirements for drug testing under RA 9165.

II. The Analytical Process for Drug Identification

When police seize a suspected illegal substance, a forensic chemist must perform a scientific analysis to prove its identity. This is a two-step process involving a screening test followed by a confirmatory test.

A. Screening Tests (Presumptive Tests)

  • Purpose: To quickly and easily indicate the possible presence of a drug. These tests are not conclusive.
  • Method: They are usually simple color-change tests where a reagent is added to a small amount of the suspected substance.
    • Marquis Reagent: Turns orange-brown in the presence of amphetamines (like shabu) and purple in the presence of opiates (like heroin).
    • Duquenois-Levine Test: A three-step test that turns purple in the presence of marijuana.
  • Limitation: Screening tests can produce false positives. Other, non-illegal substances might also cause a color change. Therefore, a positive screening test is only a presumption and is not sufficient for court.

Ang Screening Tests o Presumptive Tests ay para sa mabilis na indication kung POSSIBLE na may drug. Ito ay simple color-change tests - halimbawa: Marquis Reagent (orange-brown for amphetamines/shabu, purple for opiates/heroin), Duquenois-Levine Test (3-step test, purple for marijuana). Pero HINDI conclusive ang screening tests - pwedeng mag-produce ng false positives (ibang substances ang nag-cause ng color change). Kaya positive screening test = probable cause LANG, hindi proof!

Board Exam Tip: Screening tests are fast and easy but NOT conclusive. Positive result = probable cause ONLY, not proof of drug identity. Common exam trap!

B. Confirmatory Tests

  • Purpose: To definitively identify the substance. The results of a confirmatory test are conclusive and can be used as evidence in court.
  • Method: Confirmatory tests use sophisticated laboratory instruments to analyze the unique chemical "fingerprint" of a substance.

The "Gold Standard" for Confirmation:

  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): This is the most widely used and legally accepted method for confirming a drug's identity.
    • Gas Chromatography (GC): The first step. It separates the components of a mixture. The substance is vaporized and travels through a long, thin tube. Different substances travel at different speeds, so they emerge from the tube at different times (their "retention time").
    • Mass Spectrometry (MS): The second step. As each separated component emerges from the GC, it enters the MS, which bombards it with electrons, breaking it into charged fragments. The pattern of these fragments (the "mass spectrum") is unique to each chemical compound and serves as its definitive chemical fingerprint.

By combining these two techniques, the GC-MS can separate a substance from its impurities and then positively identify it based on its unique chemical structure.

Ang "Gold Standard" para sa drug confirmation ay ang GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) - ito ang most widely used at legally accepted method! May dalawang steps: (1) Gas Chromatography (GC) - parang "separator" - vine-vaporize ang substance at pinapadaan sa long tube, different substances ay lalabas sa different times (retention time); (2) Mass Spectrometry (MS) - bini-bombard ng electrons ang substance para ma-break into charged fragments, ang pattern ng fragments (mass spectrum) ay unique sa bawat compound - ito ang chemical fingerprint! Kaya ang GC-MS ay nag-separate at positively identify ng substance - CONCLUSIVE ang result, pwede sa court!

Board Exam Tip: GC-MS = GOLD STANDARD for drug confirmation. Screening = presumptive/probable cause. Confirmatory = conclusive/court-admissible. VERY important distinction!

Conclusion

The forensic chemistry of drug identification is a cornerstone of the enforcement of dangerous drugs laws. The methodical process, from a simple presumptive color test to a definitive confirmation by GC-MS, provides the scientific certainty needed by the justice system. Whether analyzing a brick of marijuana or a urine sample, the forensic chemist plays a vital, objective role, ensuring that conclusions are based not on suspicion, but on rigorous and verifiable scientific fact.