Drugs Information: Cocaine

Category: Stimulant

Legal Status
It is illegal to sell, possess or supply. It is also an offence to allow one's premises to be a venue for cultivation, supply or consumption.

Short-term effects
Strong stimulant similar to amphetamines but lasting only 15-30 minutes. Repeated use over several hours may lead to extreme agitation, paranoia and toxic psychosis. Death from respiratory arrest after large doses, more likely if heroin or another depressant drug is used at the same time.

Warning

Even though many cocaine users think that using alcohol will slow down their metabolism in fact it causes a higher heart rate and blood pressure which can result in heart failure. When both Cocaine and Alcohol are entered into the bloodstream they form a toxic substance known as coca ethylene.

Long Term effects
The short lived "high" followed by rebound after-effects leads to extreme mood swings and eating disorders. There can be paranoid thinking and psychotic behaviour. If sniffed, possible nose damage; if smoked possible respiratory problems. Withdrawal effects less intense than with amphetamines.

How long it stays in your system

Can last in your system approximately 4 days.

Scientific / Trade or Slang Name
Coke, Snow, Charlie, Crack, Free Base

Method of use
Usually snorted up the nose, also injected. Crack is smoked.

NOTE:
The effect upon the individual of any drug may vary, depending on factors such as the expectations of the user, mood, amount used, the setting, tolerance, and whether it is mixed with other drugs, which can be fatal. Some of the drugs above are synthetic drugs which are produced in unregulated laboratories. As such they are rarely pure and are often altered with a range of toxic and other dangerous agents.