Detecting a drug user is not an easy task the signs

Detecting a drug user is not an easy task. The signs and symptoms of drug
abuse, especially in the beginning stages can be identical to those produced by
conditions having nothing whatsoever to do with drugs.
It is always necessary to exercise certain prudence before drawing conclusions.
Some judgments may only hurt the individual; if he is innocent one may lose his love
and trust. Only after observing calmly and patiently his behavior, appearance and
associations, may one pass judgment and act.
It should also be remembered that a person might have a legitimate reason for
possessing a tablet, syringe and needle (may be a diabetic) having capsules (they may
be prescribed by a doctor). Having the sniffled eyes may due to head cold or an allergy.
Unusual or all behavior may not be connected in any way with drug abuse.
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To detect a drug abuser one should observe the following:
1.
1. Neglect of personal appearance
2. Diminished drive, lack of ambition
3. Reduced attention span
4. Poor quality of school work
5. Impaired communication skills
6. Less care for the feeling of others, lessening of accustomed family warmth
7. Pale face, red eyes, dilation or constricted pupils, wearing sunglasses at wrong
places
8. Change from active to passive and withdrawn behavior
9. Secretive about money, disappearance of money and other valuables at home
10. Friends refusing to identify themselves or hang up when you answer the phone
11. Overreaction to mild conditions

12. Smell of marijuana, sweetish odor, like burned rope in the clothes or room
13. Symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, muscular pains, insomnia and
convulsions
14. Presence of drug paraphernalia
15. Laboratory Examination
16. Admission from the addict
17. Wearing long-sleeved shirt or blouses
18. Blood spots around elbow areas
19. Walk, talk and act as if under alcoholic influence
20. Prolonged period of sleep or lethargy, abnormal sleep pattern, nervous, jumpy,
talkative
21. Loss body weight
22. Develop a defiant or contemptuous attitudes towards authority
Based on the lecture of U.S. expert doctor of medicine, forensic chemist at the
London International Police Academy usually detects drug abusers without too much
trouble by means of the following;
1.
1. Presence of hypodermic needle or tracks on arms and on various parts of the
body. The armed are kept covered.
2. Pinpoint pupils, watery eyes – when addict, is apparently normal they are
contracted when in need of drugs; they are dilated when using synthetics or cocaine.
3. Urinalysis
4. Pallor – (prison pallor – ashen) sallow complexion
5. Gait – they walk with a stoop
6. Withdrawal Symptoms – they show abstinence syndrome from either slight –
moderate – severe.
Profile or Demographic Character of Drug Addicts in the Country:
1. Age - mostly adolescents ranging 17 to 21 years of age with a mean age 18
years old.