Objective: Identify the common types of illicit drugs and frequently abused prescription drugs.  Analyze the use of confidential informants to combat the drug trade.

Welcome to the world of drugs.  The statistics are staggering how many other crimes committed have some relation to drugs, whether it be that drugs are the underlying cause or perhaps the reason for committing the crime.  Because of the overwhelming amount of drug-related crimes in the United States we could really do an entire course related to drug investigations, classifications, and prosecutions.  However, since we are limited in this course to only a small portion you should at least become familiar with common drugs of abuse, how to recognize symptoms of drug abusers, how law enforcement uses confidential informants, searches and seizures in drug cases, and clandestine drug laboratories.

• Read the following Confidential Informants Case Studies:
  • Meth Lab and CI Case Study
  • Drug Purchase and CI Case Study

• In 500 words or less identify five common types of illicit or abused drugs and describe the effects of these drugs on the human body.  Consider side effects as well as effects of withdrawal on the user.

• Using the provided “real-life” CI case provided as part of the reading materials this week, in 750-1,000 words describe the evidence obtained, how the CI was used, why a CI was necessary in this situation, and any other relevant information from the investigation.

All written assignments should be formatted using APA. For the current OCU APA Template, click the Student Toolkit in the top navigation bar and view the APA: Citation and Formatting Help page.