65643 Chemistry and Pharmacology of Recreational Drugs

This subject expands on the pharmacology, chemistry, methods of analysis and legal status of a wide range of drugs used for clinical, recreational and other non-clinical purposes covered in 65545 Forensic Toxicology. The subject covers in depth the chemistry and pharmacology of the various classes of drugs (opioids, amphetamine and other stimulants, hallucinogens, cannabis and other drugs, including alcohol and nicotine). Other topics covered include routes of synthesis, profiling of drugs to determine the method of manufacture, clandestine laboratory operations, sampling and analysis protocols, state and federal legislation covering the possession, supply, manufacture and importation of certain drugs, drugs in sport, the 'war on drugs', case studies and social issues. The laboratory component includes experiments in natural product chemistry as well as two cognate syntheses based on procedures carried out in clandestine laboratories.

Typical availability

Spring semester, City campus (from 2010)