Street Names

Cocaine: Coke, Charlie, Snow, Flake, Nose Candy, Hits
Crack: Rocks, Wash, Stone, Crank

Description

Cocaine is commonly available as a white powder. Crack is 'freebased' cocaine made into small crystals

Routes of use

Ingestion, injection, sniffing, smoking.

History

Cocaine is derived from the coca plant leaves and has been used by ancient South American Indian civilisations as a herbal remedy for tiredness. They achieved an effect by chewing on the leaves. In the 19th century cocaine extracts were used as tonics in the western world and even 'Coca-Cola' contained small amounts of cocaine up until 1904. Cocaine has been used medically for pain relief/local anaesthesia.

Effects people seek

Cocaine is a powerful, yet short acting, stimulant. The effects are similar to amphetamines- confidence, appetite loss, euphoria and high energy. Crack produces more intense versions of these effects but they last only a short time.

Other effects

The come down from both cocaine and crack leads to feelings of tiredness, lethargy, hunger, anxiety and paranoia. Often more of the drug is taken to reduce the effect of this. Come down effects are worse with higher doses and regular use. Sniffing of the drug can damage the delicate membranes lining the inside of the nose as well as the septum separating both nostrils. Smoking crack can cause lung problems and injecting has its own set of dangers.

Dependence & Tolerance

Dependence is psychological to the effects produced. It appears more likely to occur if the cocaine is smoked.

The Law

Cocaine is a class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. It is illegal to possess (unless prescribed), supply or produce the drug.