Types
of Drugs - Cocaine
Substance: 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.
After smoking freebase the effects are almost
immediate and more intense than after sniffing
cocaine hydrochloride, but are even more
short lived.
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.
Scientific / Trade or Slang Name
Coke, Snow, Charlie, Crack, Free Base
Method of use
Usually snorted up the nose, also injected.
Crack is smoked.
|
