Phencyclidine (PCP)

What is phencyclidine?

Phencyclidine or PCP for short is a synthetic drug with stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. PCP became widely used in America in the 70’s as a street drug, it is quite a rare drug in the UK. Street names for PCP include angel dust, peace pill, rocket fuel and elephant tranquilliser.

PCP is a very powerful drug that can have disturbing effects.

What does PCP look like?

PCP usually comes as a white powder but can also come as a liquid or in a pill. Some users can be unaware they have taken PCP as it is sometimes a hidden ingredient of ecstasy or cannabis.

How is PCP taken?

PCP can be prepared for injection, sniffing, smoking or swallowing.

What are the immediate effects of taking PCP?

PCP makes the user experience mild hallucination and dreamlike states. Users also experience a distortion of the senses, time and space. Depending on how much is taken the effects can start in matter of seconds to about 30 minutes later.

What are the long-term effects of taking PCP?

Even in low doses PCP can lead to severe psychological trauma. Users may feel agitated, paranoid and become aggressive. Large doses can cause heart, lung or kidney failure. PCP is stored in the body’s fat cells and therefore can never be completely eliminated. So if you regularly take any kind of exercise the drug can be stirred up and your bad trip can come back with nasty flashbacks.

What class drug is PCP?

PCP is a class A drug, the same class as cocaine, meaning that if caught supplying there is a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The maximum penalty for possession is 7 years in prison and a fine.