Transcript Cocaine and Crack

What is Cocaine?
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Cocaine is a strong, highly addictive Central Nervous System stimulant that
interferes with the absorption of dopamine, the brain chemical related to
pleasure.
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Pure cocaine is derived from the leaf of the Erthroxylon coca bush found in
parts of South America.
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It is a Schedule II drug, meaning it has a high potential for abuse, but can
be administered for legitimate medical uses.
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There are two chemical forms, “salt” and “freebase”.
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“Salt”, the powdered form of cocaine, dissolves in water and can be taken
intravenously or sniffed.
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“Freebase” refers to a compound that has not been neutralized by an acid
to hydrochloric salt. This form is smokable.
Street Names for Cocaine
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Coke
C
Snow
Flake
Blow
Girl
What is Crack?
• Crack is the street name given to cocaine that
has been processed with ammonia, baking
soda, and water, then heated to remove the
hydrochloride, producing a form of cocaine that
can be smoked.
• The term “Crack”, refers to the crackling sound
that the mixture makes when being smoked.
• User’s experience a high in less than 10
seconds that lasts for less than 10 minutes.
Street Names for Crack
• Rock
• Freebase rocks
• Crack cocaine
Short Term Effects of Use
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Constricted peripheral blood vessels
Dilated pupils
Increased temperature
Increased heart rate
Increased blood pressure
Dry mouth
Muscle twitches and spasms
Extreme mental alertness
Insomnia
Reduced fatigue
Long-term effects of use
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Restlessness
Irritability
Difficulty breathing or respiratory failure
Auditory hallucinations
Nose bleeds
Lost sense of smell
Paranoia
Risky behavior, such as having unprotected sex
Infertility
Sudden death
Withdrawal Symptoms
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A strong craving for the drug
Tremors
Changes in brain activity
Eating disorders
Sleep disturbances
Depression
Paranoia
Suicidal thoughts
Did You Know?
• In the mid 1980’s, Crack Cocaine was very popular due to its
immediate euphoric effect and its relative low cost.
• Due to the faster and shorter high, crack is more quickly addictive
than the powder form of cocaine.
• Up to 75% of people who try cocaine will become addicted to it.
• Injecting cocaine can place the drug user at risk for transmitting and
acquiring HIV/AIDS if needles are shared.
• In 2004, 34.2 million Americans aged 12 and older reported lifetime
use of cocaine, and 7.8 million reported using crack.