Cocaine and Crack Cocaine

Vocabulary

Drug affecting the central nervous system, which can cause dizziness, euphoria, loss of memory, lack of coordination and unconsciousness.

(J) Narcotic

Feeling of great joy, excitement or well-being.

(F) Euphoria

State marked by extreme restlessness, confusion and sometimes hallucinations, caused by fever, poisoning or brain injury.

(B) Delirium

State of being nervous and anxious and likely to lose control.

(D) Edginess

Sudden blockage or rupture (the breakage of something) of a blood vessel in the brain resulting in, for example, loss of consciousness, partial loss of movement or loss of speech.

(N) Stroke

An illegal, man-made synthetic drug in the same class as cocaine and other powerful street drugs. It is highly addictive.

(H) Methamphetamine

Damage caused to the parts of the body having to do with the production of children.

(K) Reproductive Damage

Includes feelings of sadness, hopelessness and worthlessness, complaints of physical pain, and changes in appetite, sleep patterns and energy level.

(I) Mood Disturbances

Enlarged, usually describing the pupils of the eyes.

(C) Dilated

Not having or being prevented from having sufficient sleep.

(M) Sleep Deprivation

Related to hearing. (A) Auditory Relating to or used for the sense of

touch. (P) Tactile

Lessening or breakdown of the ability to breathe oxygen into the body.

(L) Respiratory Failure

When someone experiences some perception related to touch when it is not really there.

(O) Tactile Hallucination

The perception of somebody or something that is not really there, which is often a response to some drugs.

(G) Hallucination

Unpredictable and unstable. (E) Erratic

Cocainewww.drugfreeworld.org

What is Cocaine

Extracted from coca leaves and originally developed as a painkiller

Powder is usually mixed with corn starch, talcum powder and or other drugs

Most dangerous drug known to man› Almost impossible to become free of its

grip physically and mentally

Worldwide multi-billion dollar enterprise

Encompasses all ages, occupations and economic levels

Can lead to death from› Respiratory failure› Stroke› Cerebral hemorrhage› Heart attack

How is it taken or distributed?

Cocaine is the 2nd most trafficked illegal drug in the world

Most often sniffed Powder absorbed into the bloodstream

through nasal tissues Ingested or rubbed into the gums Injection – risk of overdose Inhaling it as smoke or vapor

Street Names

Blow C Charlie Coke Dust

Nose Candy Sniff Snow Toot White

Why is it so addictive? Creates greatest psychological

dependence on any drug Tolerance to cocaine develops quickly Can be used in a deadly combination if

taken with other drugs› Tranquilizers› Amphetamines› Marijuana› Heroin

Children of cocaine addicted mothers come into the world as addicts themselves

Many suffer birth defects and many other problems

Despite dangers cocaine use is increasing

People find it difficult to escape from the first time used

Short Term Effects

Short lived intense high followed by intense depression, edginess, and a craving for more

Don’t sleep or eat properly Increased heart rate, muscle spasms

and convulsions Can become paranoid, angry, hostile,

and anxious

Long Term Effects

As tolerance increases so does the need for it

Long term sleep deprivation and loss of appetite

Can become psychotic and experience hallucinations

Needs more of the drug to feel “normal”

Depression can lead to suicide if the addict cannot get the drug

History of Cocaine

Ancient Incas in the Andes chewed coca leaves to speed their breathing to counter the effects of the mountain air

Native Peruvians chewed coca leaves only during religious ceremonies

First isolated in 1859 by Albert Niemann and not used in medical community until 1880s

Sigmund Freud promoted cocaine to cure depression and sexual impotence› He called it the “magical” substance

1905: became popular to snort and within 5 years literature reported nasal damage

1970s: cocaine emerged as new drug for entertainers and business people

1980s: Not a wealthy man’s drug – America’s most dangerous drug and linked with poverty, crime, and death

Crack Cocainewww.drugfreeworld.org

What is Crack Cocaine?

Crystal form of Cocaine Comes in solid blocks or

crystals varying in color from yellow, pale rose, or white

Crack is heated and smoked

The name comes from the popping or cracking sound when smoked

It is highly addictive when smoked - can become addicted after the first time

Street Names

Crack Apple Jacks Dice Fat Bags Glo Hail

Kryptonite Sleet Rocks Snow Coke Troop

Why is it so addictive?

Stimulates key pleasure centers within brain which causes extremely heightened euphoria

Smoking allows it to reach the brain more quickly – high only lasts about 15 mins.

Compulsive crack use develops quickly because when smoked it enters the blood stream

At first it was sold very cheap compared to cocaine

Short Term Effects

Short lived intense high followed by intense depression, edginess and a craving for more

Increase heart rate Muscle spasms or convulsions Angry, hostile, anxious Heart attack, stroke, seizure, or

respiratory failure

Long Term Effects

Damage to heart, liver, and kidneys Users are more likely to have infectious

diseases Sleep deprivation and loss of appetite Loss of interest in life

History of Crack Cocaine

Use of intoxicant dates back 3000 years

Crack Cocaine was developed during the cocaine boom of 1970s and into the 80s

Crack Cocaine could be sold in smaller quantities and more profit

Crack Epidemic in US was 1984-1990