PCP

Phencyclidine, commonly referred to as PCP, or Angel Dust, is considered to be the most unpredictable drug on the street in terms of the possible effect on the user. Effects may vary from a sense of moderate detachment, numbness, loss of coordination and slurred speech to visual image distortion, auditory hallucinations, paranoia, psychosis, and extreme violence. Additionally, PCP in known to disrupt pain signals to the brain. Law enforcement personnel who have experienced violent encounters with PCP users often report those persons seemingly possessing "super-human" strength. Bearing this in mind, law enforcement personnel nationwide are very cautious of encounters with users of PCP due to the potential violence level commonly associated with the use of the drug.

First investigated in the 1950's as a human anesthetic, the side effects of confusion and delirium led to PCP's human applications being discontinued. Most recent applications include use as an animal tranquilizer.

PCP can be found in liquid, gum, or powder form. When found in liquid form, PCP is extremely caustic, toxic, and can possess a certain degree of volatility. Commonly applied to cigarettes as a means of ingestion, liquid PCP can be easily absorbed through the skin in lethal amounts in a matter of seconds. In powder form PCP is commonly mixed with marijuana and smoked. PCP is often masqueraded as LSD or THC, representing a serious health risk to the unsuspecting user. The gum form may vary in color from a light tan to a dark brown or black.