ABSTRACT
Street drugs vary from chemically pure substances to the complete substitution of a drug with similar effects containing none of the alleged substance. Concentrated pure drug from the manufacturer is usually diluted to street doses locally through use of any white powdery material as the diluent. Local addicts are test subjects to be certain that the dilution is appropriate. This process introduces foreign matter into the drug and is somewhat haphazard in getting the dose correct. Common substances used to “cut” concentrated drugs such as cocaine or heroin for i.v. use include dextrose, lactose, dried milk, quinine, and occasionally talc. These adulterants are often responsible for anaphylaxis associated with i.v. injection.
