The metabolism of illegal drugs varies depending on the substance. Most drugs are processed by the liver, where enzymes break them down into metabolites. These metabolites can be more or less active than the parent compound. Understanding drug metabolism is crucial for toxicologists as it influences the duration of drug effects and the potential for toxicity. For example, the metabolite of cocaine, benzoylecgonine, is often measured in drug tests due to its longer retention in the body.
