by Mark Van Horn
Nebraska State Patrol
DRE Instructor
 

Marijuana contains around 60 compounds called cannabiniods. The most psychoactive of these is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Differences among plants cause the potency of marijuana to vary widely. As a result of selective breeding some of the marijuana today can contain 10 to 20 times the THC than that smoked in the 60'?s and early 70's. More than 400 other chemicals are also found in the plant. Many of their effects are still unknown.

A biological barrier in the brain admits oxygen, nutrients, and sugar it needs while blocking out unnecessary and sometimes harmful compounds. Certain psychoactive drugs however, can pierce this shield. THC and other cannabiniods being fat soluble dissolve in the brains cellar membranes, which are composed of fat molecules; then slip through the barrier. THC and other cannabiniods remain in the body for weeks and dissolve not only in the brain but in the liver, lungs, kidneys, testes and ovaries.

THC and alcohol together have a greater effect than either by itself. Marijuana distorts information processing, while alcohol enhances the effects of a neurotransmitter called GABA, which binds to neurons and slows their rate of firing, producing a sedative effect. Marijuana also has mild analgesic properties.

THC also can reduce nausea. Vomiting is the body's natural way of purging toxic substances. If the vomit message is suppressed by THC, dangerous amounts of alcohol can be ingested and absorbed. Thus alcohol poisoning could become a real threat in rare cases. (Possibly this is a contributing factor to some young people dying at parties due to alcohol poisoning.)

Smoking marijuana can deliver 3 times more tar than smoking tobacco. Marijuana's irritating smoke dilates blood vessels, reddens the eyes, and inflames nasal tissues. Regular use can lead to bronchitis. Studies also indicate that marijuana may impair the capacity of the white cells to fight invading infection. Marijuana tinkers with the appetite center (the "munchies") of the brain. Additionally marijuana disturbs the pituitary gland. Some studies show reduced sperm production in men and inhibited ovulation in women.

Researchers are learning more about the way in which Narcotic Analgesics effect the body. In 1994 scientists identified opioid receptor sites. Among the functions that the opioid receptor sites assist the brain are in the following operations:

• alleviating pain
• producing euphoria
• constraining tension
• repressing depression
• nurturing mental stability
• controlling respiration
• directing food intake

During customary activities of the brain, neurotransmitters connect to specific brain receptors to carry out various functions. Drugs will mimic the brain's natural neurotransmitters and produce similar chemical effects on the bodies central nervous system.

Both sub-categories of Narcotic Analgesics bind with the opioid receptors and will mimic the chemical effects of the body operations listed. Sub-categories of narcotic analgesics are:

• Natural alkaloids of opium and opium derivatives.
• Synthetic opiates.

Some of the narcotic analgesics that connect with the opioid receptors on the brain include heroin, codeine, morphine, Darvon, Dilaudid, Percodan, Methadone, Demerol, Darvon, MPPP, and Fentanyl.

Traffic or Crime Enforcement.
Is there a choice?

Is it the public's fear of criminals, bottom line budgeting, or the belief that a "war on crime" doesn't including making traffic stops that causes some departments to cut back on their traffic safety units? Although these factors, and others, contribute to administrations reducing or reassigning "traffic" officers, part of the blame must be placed on us. We have failed to educate our management, and the public, to the fact that keeping your DWI, and traffic enforcement, priorities high is one of the most effective ways to reduce all crime and better serve the public.

A murder is committed every 23 minutes in the United States compared to one crash fatality every 13 minutes. Statistics also indicate that one violent crime is perpetrated every 17 seconds while an injury due to a motor vehicle collision occurs every 10 seconds.

In 1994 a DOT Highway Safety study found the following facts when they examined the Grand Praire, Texas Police Department's Traffic Unit. Seven percent of all their traffic stops resulted in criminal arrests. Traffic Officers made up only four percent of the departments personnel but were responsible for thirty seven percent of the total arrests. Similar studies in other states have shown comparable results.

Politicians, and administrations, are quick to use catch phrases such as "community", "proactive" and "quality of life" policing when describing their crime fighting philosophies. These leaders need to be made aware of the reality that aggressive, and effective, traffic law enforcement is perhaps the most advantageous way to ensure they achieve their ultimate goals.

For further information, consult Traffic Safety and Crime - Keeping Pace, DOT HS 808367, June, 1996.

Law enforcement officers, particularly the DRE, has an ally in the war against drugged driving. Citizens AgaiNst Drug Impaired Drivers is a nonprofit organization founded by Karen and Dick Tarney. After becoming victims of a drug-related vehicle crash in 1989, the Tarney's formed this nonprofit organization. Increasing awareness of the dangers of drug-impaired drivers, and to ultimately reduce the number of drug related collisions and fatalities, is the goal of C.A.N.D.I.D. As an organization they advocate advance training for law enforcement officers to detect drugged drivers. They support effective drugged driving laws in every state.

C.A.N.D.I.D. has continually shown its support of the DEC Program, from presenting awards at our national conference, to providing finical assists for the DRUG-RECOGNITION-L e-mail list for DRE's.

If you are interested in receiving, or providing, drug impaired crash information, or wish to inquire about membership you can contact:

C.A.N.D.I.D

P.O. Box 17705

Milwaukee, WI 53217

(414) 352-2043

During 1996 over 3600 individuals were arrested in the city of Omaha for DUI of which 98% were convicted. Only 76 arrests were pled to lesser charges or obtained an acquittal. With such an impressive conviction rate, the City of Omaha, NE, is a national leader in prosecuting drunken drivers.

Omaha City Prosecutor Marty Conboy, and his staff, are to be praised for their aggressive prosecution of impaired drivers. The attitude of his office is that drunk drivers kill. and DUI is a crime that is totally preventable.

Our thanks to the two Omaha City Prosecutors who acted as auditors for Nebraska's most recent DECP school. Mike Goldberg and Mike Winchester, attended all the DRE classroom training, and are expected to assist our state in the further development of the program.