PCP

By: Dorisil Centella

Sadella Justavino
Irving Mendoza

DESCRIPTION
Phencyclidine(PCP) is a synthetic chemical in the dissociative class. It is

found in a variety of forms including :crystals ,tablets, powder, and

liquid.
It is also known as a powerful psychedelic with dissociative effects at

high doses.
It is used in small quantities with 5-10 mg considered an average dose.
It exhibits hallucinogenic and neurotoxic effects.
It is a two step reaction. PCC is created by reacting: piperidine, cyanide

and cyclohexanone; then it is reacted with phenylmagnesium bromide

to form the final product. The total reaction time for the completion
requires 16 to 18 hours.
In 1967, it is marketed under the name Sernylan as a tranquilizer and

anesthetic for animals.

ORIGIN
PCP was first synthesized in 1926 and in the 1950s it

began being investigated as a possible human anesthetic

by Parke-Davis.
It was tested for the first time in 1957 on 64 human

subjects under the name Sernyl, but worrying side effects

appeared.
It emerged as a recreational drug in major U.S. cities in

1967.
PCP is typically sprayed into leafy materials( cannabis,

ginger, oregano) or dipped in cigarettes or in joints and

then smoked.; therefore, smoking PCP is known as
getting wet.

ACTIVE INGREDIENT
PCP is not easily classified and should be considered

separately from hallucinogenic drugs; it has a rather large

number of effects in the Central Nervous System and its
neuropharmacology is poorly understood.
There are many analogs of PCP, in which these can have

devastating effects. The analogs are similar in nature to PCP,

but in the structure, one or two molecules have been changed.
PCP acts on the NMDA receptor in rats and in rat brain

homogenate, therefore, PCP is and NMDA receptor antagonist.

PCP inhibits nicotinic acetylcholine receptors; it works as D2
receptor partial antagonist. It also has an indirect interaction
with the endogenous endorphin and enkephalin system.

SHORT- TERM AND LONG-TERM

EFFECTS
When smoked, PCP has a duration of 4-6 hours, and its after

effects are present for more than 24 hours after the ingestion
time.
Some short-term effects are: Paranoia, Ataxia, nausea,

temporary amnesia, psychotic episodes, altered time

perception, disorientation, dissociation; in high doses they
include: lethargy, seizures, decreased heart rate, coma and
possible neurotoxicity.
Long-Term effects are: schizophrenia-like psychotic episodes,

severe memory loss, disorganized thinking, depression,

weight loss, liver abnormalities, rhabomyolosis, death,
psychological dependency and drug-seeking behavior.

PENAL CONVICTION IN BOTH US

AND PANAMA
U.S. Federal Law categorizes PCP as an Schedule II Regulated Drug. This

means it is illegal to sell without a DEA license and illegal to buy or

possess without a license or prescription.
A person found to be in possession of a schedule II drug commits either a

second degree felony which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, or

a third degree felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment
depending on what drug it is.
A drug kingpin in D.C. got life imprisonment for his role as leader in a

PCP, heroin and cocaine administration. One man got 20 years without
parole.
In Panama, the conviction can be from 10 to 15 years if found with the

attempt of trafficking. If found with making of it, the person can face 10
to 15 years. If found without authorization and importing, exporting, etc.,
can get from 8 to 15 years.