COCAINE and OTHER STIMULANTS

COCAINE AND OTHER STIMULANTS

Chemical agents which stimulate the central nervous system are called stimulants. Potent stimulants which have a high potential for dependency and tolerance are under regulatory control of the Controlled Substance Act. They include cocaine and the amphetamines. Two of the most prevalent legal stimulants are nicotine and caffeine.

 Cocaine

 Prevalence and Dependency Characteristics: One out of every 10 Americans has used cocaine illegally at least once. Formerly thought to be non – addictive, it is now often called the “Great Addicter”. Users find the drug so pleasurable they may binge on this drug for days, staying awake and eating nothing during that time. In animal studies, it is the only drug that rats will self – administer until they die. A recent study by the National 1 – 800 – COCAINE Helpline reported the average daily cocaine user calling the Helpline spent a weekly

average of 7 for cocaine, with a range of 0 to 00. It is the fastest growing drug of abuse, and the third most frequently used drug.

Appearance and Methods of Use: Cocaine is distributed as a white crystalline powder. It is usually sniffed or “snorted” through a straw, rolled up dollar bill, or tiny “cake spoon”, and takes about 3 minutes to reach the high. For faster, more intense, but shorter highs, intravenous injection will bring a high in 30 seconds and smoking or free – basing in 3 seconds.

 Free- basing is a method of removing the impurities with solvents, such as ether, to make it suitable for smoking. The ether ( a highly flammable and explosive chemicals), is evaporated over a flame, a very dangerous procedure. A new relatively inexpensive form of free base cocaine is “crack” or “freebase rocks” which are light brown or beige pellets, packaged in small vials.

The rocks look like clumps of sugar and are especially popular with teenagers. Depending on the avenue of administration, effects can last several hours but the euphoric high lasts only 15 to 40 minutes and is followed by an intense crash or let – down, which the user often counteracts with another dose. The intravenous and smoking routes cause more rapid development of tolerance and dependence and more harmful effects.

Slang Terms: Big C, coke, nose candy, crack, snow, white, and snowbirds.

The confiscation of 447 kilograms of cocaine marks the largest amount of illegal narcotics ever seized in Greece and one of the biggest in Europe. Officers of the Arms and Narcotics Division said the container came from Bolivia and the cocaine was hidden inside welded iron containers destined for Bulgaria.
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