and, it seems to be getting more dangerous as the years go on. According to the Utah Department of Human Services, a 2002 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) study showed that "PCP mentions in emergency departments increased 28% from 1995 to 2002. There was a 42% increase from the 5,404 mentions in 2000 to 7,648 in 2002." So why do people use PCP when the risks are so high? According to Landry (1994) "the sought-after effects of PCP intoxication include increased sensitivity to external stimuli, stimulation of mood and behavior, and a sense of intoxication. PCP intoxication invariably involves distortions of sensory perceptions, such as visual distortions, illusions, pseudohallucinations, and hallucinations. PCP intoxication often involves ego boundary distortions, especially a dissociation of the mind from the body and 'out of body' experiences" (p. 103). While this may not sound like much fun to most people, apparently the feelings of disconnection are a desire of people who feel the need to completely escape the problems of their everyday lives. Unfortunately, not only is PCP highly addictive, but it can also cause psychotic breaks and other severe mental health problems, as well as physical problems such as nerve deterioration and impaired sensory perception.

PCP use can actually mimic many of the symptoms of schizophrenia. This is due to a unique chemical reaction, which Cann & De Belleroche (2002) describes as follows: "The site of action of PCP and ketamine only emerged with the elucidation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptor. This is an ion channel-linked receptor which gates both Na+ and Ca2+ when activated. This receptor is now known to play an important role in the process of long-term potentiation whereby, after an initial stimulus, subsequent challenges cause an enhanced synaptic response which is maintained for several hours" (p. 132). The several hours that the effects of PCP can last represent either a benefit for recreational users who enjoy its effects, or a nightmare for those who experience the "dark side" of the drug.

The vastly different effects of PCP on different people often has to do with the amount they ingest and the manner in which they ingest it. Sometimes it is taken in pill form, sometimes it is snorted in powder form, but the most popular way to intake PCP is to sprinkle...

This is how the name "angel dust" came about -- because the users are "dusting their crop" of marijuana. It only takes a very small amount of PCP to have huge effects (Rivers & Shore, 1997).
In conclusion, while PCP has never reached the level of popularity of many other illegal street drugs, this does not mean that it is not a danger. The side effects of this drug are probably the worst of any other drug, and it is also extremely addictive. People addicted to PCP are in serious danger of permanent mental and physical damage and need to seek treatment immediately.

References

Cann, W. & De Belleroche, J. (2002) Drink, drugs and dependence: From science to clinical practice. New York: Routledge.

Carroll, M.E. (1990). PCP and Hallucinogens. Advances in Alcohol and Substance Abuse, 9, 167-190.

Henderson, E.C. (2000) Understanding addiction. Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi.

Landry, M. (1994) Understanding drugs of abuse: The processes of addiction, treatment, and recovery. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Press.

Litovitz, T.L. (n.d.) Clinical management of poisoning and drug overdose Chapter 33 Phencyclidine (PCP), pp. 448-455. Retrieved from http://www.erowid.org/archive/rhodium/chemistry/pcp/research_refs.html#References

"PCP Use Statistics" (n.d.) Erowid.org. Retrieved from http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/pcp/pcp_stats.shtml

Rivers, P. & Shore, E.R. (1997) Substance abuse on campus: A handbook for college and university personnel. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press

"Substance abuse and mental health" (2009) Utah Department of Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.hsdsa.utah.gov/pcpuses.htm