PCP

Angel Dust
Phenylcyclohexylpiperidine
Phencyclidine

Scientific Names: Phencyclidine, Phenylcyclohexylpiperidine

Generic Names: Phencyclidine

You cannot always be sure that what you buy is what you get, but if you want to send any substance off for testing, you can send it to WEDINOS

What does it look like?

PCP is found as an oil, liquid, powder, pill, or crystal. It is commonly smoked, often mixed with cannabis or tobacco, but can also be snorted, taken orally as a pill or powder, or injected.

Effects of PCP

Desired Effects:

Relaxation
Disinhibition
Dissociation ('out-of-the-body' feelings)
Hallucinations.

Side Effects:

Decreased sensitivity to pain
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Numbness
Loss of coordination
Confusion
PCP has a reputation in the USA for producing violent, paranoid and psychotic behaviour in its users. Because it is only rarely seen in the UK it is not clear if these effects would be found in UK users.

Risks

Long term risks:

May include speech problems and memory loss.
Can also induce a psychotic state that resembles schizophrenic episodes which can last for months at a time with toxic doses.
When taken by injection, very low PCP doses are required to cause effects meaning there is a much higher risk of overdose.
Tolerance, dependence.

Short term risks:

Unpredictable sometimes violent behaviour
Accidents
Overdose
Collapse
Convulsions, uncontrolled shaking.
As PCP can have sedative effects, combining with other sedative or depressants (e.g. alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids) can increase risk of coma and cause depressed breathing and heart rate.
Death – can be caused by complications as a result of inhibited pain response (e.g. burns or drowning in a bath).
PCP has been mis-sold as other psychedelic drugs, so unwitting users would be looking for effects similar to LSD, but the effects of PCP usually last between 6 and 24 hours but could be up to 48 hours.

It is not entirely understood but is thought the drug blocks the action of glutamate at NMDA receptors and stimulates an enzyme resulting in an increase in dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin production.

Legal status of PCP

Class A under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

How is PCP taken?

Tablets can be taken orally, powder can be snorted up the nose, sprinkled on tobacco or marijuana and smoked, or injected. Or a cigarette or joint can be dipped in to liquid PCP then smoked.

Paraphernalia

If snorted:
Razor blade, hard level surface (such as a mirror or glass), tube or rolled banknote.

If smoked:
Cigarette papers, tobacco or marijuana.

If injected:
Syringe and needle, water, spoon, tourniquet.

Medical uses of PCP

Was discontinued as a human anaesthetic and then also discontinued as a veterinary anaesthetic. Considered unsuitable for medical applications.

Where Does it Come From?

This drug is well known in the USA but is rarely seen in Britain.

Helping Services

Most areas of the UK have ‘street agencies’ or projects (sometimes called community drug services or community drug teams) which offer a range of services including information and advice, counselling, and sometimes support groups and complementary therapies such as acupuncture. Some services have extended working hours and may offer weekend support. If use of this substance becomes a problem you can seek help, advice and counselling from a service in your area. Counselling services may be appropriate. GPs can make referrals to specialist drug services.

Parents & other relatives

Many drug agencies also provide lots of advice and support to parents, family members and partners of people using drugs. They may provide relative support groups or advice, guidance and counselling on a one to one basis.

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PCP