Commonly known as PCP, phencyclidine was originally developed for use as an anesthetic. Although used in veterinary medicine as a tranquilizer, the use of the drug in humans was discontinued due to negative side effects. PCP is manufactured illegally and sold on the streets under the names “angel dust”, “ozone” and “crystal cyclone”. Common physical effects of the drug include hallucinations, disorientation, muscular incoordination and delusions. The PCP detection window in urine is up to 5 days for infrequent use and up to 20 days for chronic use.

Opiates, including heroin, morphine and codeine, are derived from the opium poppy. Medicinally, opiates are used for pain management and cough reduction. Heroin is typically sold as a white or brownish powder or as the black sticky substance known on the streets as "black tar heroin." Although purer heroin is becoming more common, most street heroin is "cut" with other drugs or with substances such as sugar, starch, powdered milk, or quinine. Street heroin can also be cut with strychnine or other poisons. Because heroin abusers do not know the actual strength of the drug or its true contents, they are at risk of overdose or death. Heroin also poses special problems because of the transmission of HIV and other diseases that can occur from sharing needles or other injection equipment. In the urine, opiates are detectable up to 3 days after use.

Methadone is a synthetic analgesic drug primarily used in the treatment of narcotic addiction. It is administered orally or intravenously. Physiological effects of methadone use include respiratory depression, sedation and analgesia. Methadone overdoses are characterized by stupor, hypotension, pupillary constriction and clammy skin. Left untreated methadone overdoses can lead to coma or death. Methadone can be detected in urine for up to 3 days after use.