PCP Act

Without a specific PCP antagonist, it cannot be stated unequivocally that the endogenous ligand and PCP act at the same receptor to induce specific electrophysiological and behavioral actions. 

There is much debate and considerable conflicting evidence regarding the mechanism of action of PCP. It is thought to stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors in the brain and to elevate epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels. PCP is also thought to inhibit communication along certain central nervous system pathways. Still others think that PCP acts on opiate receptors. 

Receptors for PCP have been identified in the brain, and PCP acts as an antagonist on the TV-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptors. The drug is unique among hallucinogens in that animals will self-administer it. 

Review of Present Legislation. In Canada, the primary federal acts that have been developed for the regulation of chemicals and which could potentially be utilized to regulate biotechnology are the Pest Control Products Act (PCP Act), the Food and Drugs Act (F D Act) and the Environmental Contaminants Act (EC Act). 

The PCP Act, which is administered through the Department of Agriculture, and the F D Act, which is administered through the Department of National Health and Welfare (NHW), require premarket testing and evaluation of products prior to commercialization. Both of these Acts appear to be sufficiently broad to enable regulation of both chemicals and microbes developed through biotechnology. 

Regulation of Biological Control Products. Biological control products (organisms) also are regulated under the PCP Act. There... 

Inexperienced users or individuals who are exposed to the drug unexpectedly (e.g., who unknowingly consume PCP-adulterated cannabis) may develop severe anxiety and panic because of the intensity and variety of symptoms. Perceptual distortions have sometimes led to extremely violent behavior, accidents, or self-damaging acts. An especially high risk of violent behavior has been reported in acutely intoxicated PCP users who have a history of psychiatric problems. Intoxication with doses in excess of 150 mg may lead to convulsions, coma, and death from respiratory arrest. Other complications include hypertensive crisis, intracerebral hemorrhage, and renal failure (Table 6-5). 

Because the psychotomimetic benzomorphans, classed as sigma opioids, inhibit binding of 3H-PCP and show PCP-like actions in several behavioral assays, it has been suggested that PCP and sigma opioids act through the same binding sites. However, recent work by a number of investigators (Su 1982 Tam 1983 Martin et al. 

NANM (N-al lyl-normetazocine or SKF-10,047) is tenfold more potent than (-)NANM and (-) cyclazocine is two- to threefold more potent than (+)cyclarocine. This stereoselectivity for block of Sv closely parallels the effects of these stereoisomers in behavioral and binding experiments (table 1). Furthermore, block of Sv occurs at nano- to micromolar concentrations of the more potent "sigma opiates"--comparable to the concentrations at which PCP and its more potent congeners act. 

PCP is not acting as a competitive inhibitor at the NMDA receptor thus, PCP and NMDA probably do not share a common recognition site. Examination of the effect of PCP on NMDA-induced DA release (figure 1, lower panel) tends to support this conclusion, but is compromised somewhat by the slightly nonparallel shift produced by 2-APV. This may be due to the fact that NMDA may partially activate quisqualate and kainate receptors on those neurons that are not antagonized by 2-APV. 

Is the development of ultrashort-acting (less abused) PCP derivatives that are good anesthetics and analgesics with very little respiratory depression possible ... 

The scientific literature on PCP use and crime is sparse and consists mainly of case studies of persons who have committed violent, often bizarre acts after ingesting the drug (Siegel 1978 Siegel 1980 Fauman and Fauman 1982). Death from drowning, often in small amounts of water, has been a frequent cause of PCP -related death in California, and the media s emphasis on such extreme events has helped to increase the drug s notoriety. 

The potential link between PCP use and violent crime is reflected in the legal debate regarding the defense of diminished capacity for crimes committed by persons intoxicated with PCP (Baxley 1980). It is argued that persons who have committed violent crimes under the influence of PCP are not legally responsible for their acts because they have an inability to have criminal intent. One reviewer concluded ... 

The percentage of all PCP users who become intoxicated and commit violent acts is unknown. As the statement above implies, however, one would suspect that only a small minority of disturbed users reach such a stage, In a recent review of the literature concerning PCP use and crime, the authors concluded that ... 

PCP is used by persons who tend to be multiple drug users. PCP is one of the more common drugs found in arrestee populations, although its prevalence varies considerably by jurisdiction. An unknown, but probably very small percentage of users suffer extreme PCP-induced intoxication and disorientation and commit bizarre, often violent acts. Much more research is needed to identify the extent of these problems in users, and to learn how personality, other drug use, and the quality and quantity of PCP ingested contribute to the occurrence of violent behavior. (Wish and Johnson, in press)... 

Service because of illegal acts performed under the influence of PCP. 

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