Phencyclidine (PCP) was introduced in the year 1950s as an intravenous anaesthetic drug but, due to its side effects of confusion and delirium, its development for human medical use was stopped. In its pure form, it is a white crystalline powder that readily dissolves in water or alcohol and has a bitter chemical taste. On the illicit drug market, Phencyclidine contains a number of contaminants as a result of makeshift manufacturing, causing the colour to range from tan to brown, and the consistency to range from powder to a gummy mass. It is available in a variety of tablets, capsules, and coloured powders, which are either taken orally or snorted.