Who uses PCP?

What does PCP look like?

What is PCP?

How is PCP abused?

What are the risks?

What is it called?

What is PCP?

What does PCP look like?

How is PCP abused?

Who uses PCP?

PCP (phencyclidine) was developed 

in the 1950s as an intravenous 

anesthetic, but its use for humans 

was discontinued because it caused 

patients to become agitated, 

delusional, and irrational. Today 

individuals abuse PCP because of 

the mind-altering, hallucinogenic 

effects it produces.

PCP is a bitter-tasting, white 

crystalline powder that is easy to 

dissolve in water or alcohol. PCP 

may be dyed various colors and often 

is sold as a tablet, capsule, liquid, or 

powder. 

Users snort PCP powder, swallow 

tablets and capsules, or smoke the 

drug by applying it (in powder form) to 

a leafy substance such as marijuana, 

mint, parsley, or oregano. In addition, 

users increasingly are dipping marijuana or tobacco cigarettes in liquid 

PCP and smoking them.

Individuals of all ages use PCP. 

Data reported in the National 

Household Survey on Drug Abuse 

indicate that an estimated 6 million 

U.S. residents aged 12 and older used 

PCP at least once in their lifetime. 

The survey also revealed that many 

teenagers and young adults use 

PCP—225,000 individuals aged 12 to 

17 and 777,000 individuals aged 18 to 

25 used the drug at least once. 

PCP use among high school students 

is a particular concern. More than 

3 percent of high school seniors in the 

United States used the drug at least 

once in their lifetime, and more than 

1 percent used the drug in the past 

year, according to the University of 

Michigan’s Monitoring the Future 

Survey.

PCP is an addictive drug; its use 

often results in psychological dependence, craving, and compulsive PCPseeking behavior. PCP produces 

unpleasant psychological effects, and 

users often become violent or suicidal. 

PCP poses particular risks for young 

people. Even moderate use of the drug 

can negatively affect the hormones 

associated with normal growth and 

development. PCP use also can impede 

the learning process in teenagers.

High doses of PCP can cause 

seizures, coma, and even death (often 

as a consequence of accidental injury 

or suicide while under the drug’s 

effects). At high doses, PCP’s effects 

may resemble the symptoms associated 

with schizophrenia, including delusions 

and paranoia.

What are the risks?

Long-term use of PCP can lead to 

memory loss, difficulty with speech or 

thought, depression, and weight loss. 

These problems can persist for up to a 

year after an individual has stopped 

using PCP.

The most common names for PCP 

are angel dust, animal tranquilizer, 

embalming fluid, ozone, rocket fuel, 

and wack. Marijuana or tobacco cigarettes that are dipped in PCP are called 

illy, wet, or fry. (Please see the Street 

Terms text box below for additional 

names.)

What is it called?

Who uses PCP?

What does PCP look like?

What is PCP?

How is PCP abused?

What are the risks?

What is it called?

What is PCP?

What does PCP look like?

How is PCP abused?

Who uses PCP?

PCP (phencyclidine) was developed 

in the 1950s as an intravenous 

anesthetic, but its use for humans 

was discontinued because it caused 

patients to become agitated, 

delusional, and irrational. Today 

individuals abuse PCP because of 

the mind-altering, hallucinogenic 

effects it produces.

PCP is a bitter-tasting, white 

crystalline powder that is easy to 

dissolve in water or alcohol. PCP 

may be dyed various colors and often 

is sold as a tablet, capsule, liquid, or 

powder. 

Users snort PCP powder, swallow 

tablets and capsules, or smoke the 

drug by applying it (in powder form) to 

a leafy substance such as marijuana, 

mint, parsley, or oregano. In addition, 

users increasingly are dipping marijuana or tobacco cigarettes in liquid 

PCP and smoking them.

Individuals of all ages use PCP. 

Data reported in the National 

Household Survey on Drug Abuse 

indicate that an estimated 6 million 

U.S. residents aged 12 and older used 

PCP at least once in their lifetime. 

The survey also revealed that many 

teenagers and young adults use 

PCP—225,000 individuals aged 12 to 

17 and 777,000 individuals aged 18 to 

25 used the drug at least once. 

PCP use among high school students 

is a particular concern. More than 

3 percent of high school seniors in the 

United States used the drug at least 

once in their lifetime, and more than 

1 percent used the drug in the past 

year, according to the University of 

Michigan’s Monitoring the Future 

Survey.

PCP is an addictive drug; its use 

often results in psychological dependence, craving, and compulsive PCPseeking behavior. PCP produces 

unpleasant psychological effects, and 

users often become violent or suicidal. 

PCP poses particular risks for young 

people. Even moderate use of the drug 

can negatively affect the hormones 

associated with normal growth and 

development. PCP use also can impede 

the learning process in teenagers.

High doses of PCP can cause 

seizures, coma, and even death (often 

as a consequence of accidental injury 

or suicide while under the drug’s 

effects). At high doses, PCP’s effects 

may resemble the symptoms associated 

with schizophrenia, including delusions 

and paranoia.

What are the risks?

Long-term use of PCP can lead to 

memory loss, difficulty with speech or 

thought, depression, and weight loss. 

These problems can persist for up to a 

year after an individual has stopped 

using PCP.

The most common names for PCP 

are angel dust, animal tranquilizer, 

embalming fluid, ozone, rocket fuel, 

and wack. Marijuana or tobacco cigarettes that are dipped in PCP are called 

illy, wet, or fry. (Please see the Street 

Terms text box below for additional 

names.)

What is it called?

Animal tranq

Black dust

Boat 

Cliffhanger

Crystal t

Dipper

Dust joint

Goon dust

Happy sticks

Street Terms for PCP

Horse tranquilizer

Kools

Lethal weapon

Magic dust

O.P.P.

Paz

Peter Pan

Shermans

Trank
Questions 

and 

Answers

Maine Drug Enforcement Agency

Questions 

and 

Answers

PCP

Fast Facts

Call 814-532-4541 

to request NDIC products

For more information on illicit drugs 

check out our web site at:

Other products of interest:

Is PCP illegal?

Check out Fast Facts on:

www.usdoj.gov/ndic

Is PCP illegal?

Yes, PCP is illegal. PCP is a 

Schedule II substance under the 

Controlled Substances Act. 

Schedule II drugs, which include 

cocaine and methamphetamine, 

have a high potential for abuse. 

Abuse of these drugs may lead to 

severe psychological or physical 

dependence.

Cover photo: DEA

Check out Fast Facts on:

, Crack cocaine

, Crystal methamphetamine

, GHB and analogs

, Heroin

, Inhalants

, Jimsonweed

, Ketamine

, Khat

, LSD

, Marijuana

, MDMA

, Methamphetamine

, Powdered cocaine

, Prescription drugs

, Yaba NDIC Product No. 2003-L0559-008

National Drug Intelligence Center

a component of the 

U.S. Department of Justice

051503

Call 814-532-4541 

to request NDIC products

www.usdoj.gov/ndic

Other products of interest:

For more information on illicit drugs 

check out our web site at:

www.usdoj.gov/ndic 

Call 814-532-4541 

to request NDIC products

, Huffing—The Abuse of Inhalants

, Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth

, Drugs,Youth, and the Internet

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Telephone: 814-532-4601

FAX: 814-532-4690

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