STREET DRUG MISREPRESENTATION

Abstract

To the Editor.— Recently we encountered a bizarre and most dangerous form of street drug misrepresentation. A person brought a sample to our anonymous analysis service after experiencing an untoward reaction following the ingestion of what was allegedly methaqualone. The tablet (Figure) appeared to be a Quaalude. Qualitative and quantitative analysis using thin-layer chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography revealed that the tablet contained phencyclidine hydrochloride (PCP) in a dose of 3 mg.Deception and misrepresentation involving street drugs are not uncommon. Caffeine is sold as an amphetamine, local anesthetics are sold as cocaine, LSD is sold as mescaline, and so on. However, it i..