Physiology of Drug Use

Instructor:

Michael Snowden, AIC- Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics

Michael Snowden is the Agent-in-Charge of the Human Trafficking Division for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD).  An Oklahoma law enforcement officer for over thirty-three years, he started his career at the Woods County Sheriff’s Office and came to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics in 1996. At OBNDD, he has served in the Enforcement, High Impact Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, Training Division, Wire Intercept, and Human Trafficking Divisions. In addition to his regular duties, Michael teaches a number of classes including Human Trafficking, Drug Identification and Pharmacology, the Neurobiology of Addiction, and Drugs and Rock –n- Roll.

Course Description:

The Neurobiology of Addiction

This class will examine the anatomy and functions of the brain. What happens to those normal functions when drugs of abuse are ingested?  Class instruction includes brain involvement with marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin and the Opioids.  This class will demonstrate how addiction and behavioral issues occur because of drug abuse.

This course explains the physiological effects of specific drugs on the human body / brain. It was designed to answer not only the “how” drugs work in the body, but also addresses “why” drugs have the effect they do. The instructor leads the student through the neurological, emotional, and biological effects of illicit drugs on the human body.