Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that directly affects the brain. Cocaine speeds up the messages traveling between the brain and the rest of the body. The drug introduces a sense of exhilaration in the user, primarily by blocking the reuptake of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the midbrain (Ericson). The initial surge of euphoria is followed by a crash. The crash creates the need for more and the body becomes dependent on the drug. The effects appear almost immediately after a single dose. Cocaine makes the person feel energetic, talkative, mentally alert and euphoric. It will temporarily decrease the need for food and sleep. The short term effects of cocaine use include constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, increased temperature,
…show more content…
Crack is a form of cocaine that is processed to make rock crystal. Crack gets its name from the popping sound the crystals make when heated; when the crystal is heated to produce vapors, it’s absorbed into the blood stream through the lungs. The intensity and duration of cocaine’s effects depend on the way it is taken. Injecting or smoking cocaine delivers the drug rapidly to the bloodstream and brain, producing a quicker and stronger but short lived high. The high from snorting cocaine may last between 15 to 30 minutes. The high from smoking cocaine may last 5 to 10 minutes. In order to get a high, increased use of the drug is needed. Different ways of administrating cocaine can produce different effects. Snorting cocaine can lead to loss of smell, nosebleeds, and problems with swallowing, hoarseness and irritation of the nasal septum. Ingested cocaine can cause bowel gangrene (drugabuse.org). Many chronic users lose their appetite and experience significant weight loss and …show more content…
These problems include struggles with crime, law enforcement, work, financial problems as well as a break down in communities (Zentner). Users encompass all ages, occupations and economic levels, even children as young as eight years old. In 2006, six million Americans age 12 and older had abused cocaine. The National Institute of Drug Abuse showed that 2% of 8th graders, 3% of 10th grades and 5% of 12th graders have abused cocaine (Goldstein). Students who abused cocaine or crack are five times more likely to dropout than those who did not use cocaine or crack. Those who dropout will either sell drugs or commit crime to obtain drugs. In 2007, the United States Federal Courts found 5,477 individuals guilty of cocaine related crimes. More than 95% of the offenders were involved in trafficking (drugabuse.org). Cocaine has been the driving force behind the majority of drug-related violence throughout the 1900’s to present day. Media is a large influence in the romanticizing of cocaine, as it’s seen in music (“Light it Up” by Buck Cherry and “My Michelle” by Guns ‘N Roses) movies (Scar-face, Superbad, and Straight Outta Compton). Those that idealize NWA, know these rappers sold, bought or covered drugs (especially cocaine). Cocaine is the main target of the War on Drugs and continues to be one of the highest profits of the drug trade. The violence that has surrounded the
Crack is a form of cocaine that is processed to make rock crystal. Crack gets its name from the popping sound the crystals make when heated; when the crystal is heated to produce vapors, it’s absorbed into the blood stream through the lungs. The intensity and duration of cocaine’s effects depend on the way it is taken. Injecting or smoking cocaine delivers the drug rapidly to the bloodstream and brain, producing a quicker and stronger but short lived high. The high from snorting cocaine may last between 15 to 30 minutes. The high from smoking cocaine may last 5 to 10 minutes. In order to get a high, increased use of the drug is needed. Different ways of administrating cocaine can produce different effects. Snorting cocaine can lead to loss of smell, nosebleeds, and problems with swallowing, hoarseness and irritation of the nasal septum. Ingested cocaine can cause bowel gangrene (drugabuse.org). Many chronic users lose their appetite and experience significant weight loss and …show more content…
These problems include struggles with crime, law enforcement, work, financial problems as well as a break down in communities (Zentner). Users encompass all ages, occupations and economic levels, even children as young as eight years old. In 2006, six million Americans age 12 and older had abused cocaine. The National Institute of Drug Abuse showed that 2% of 8th graders, 3% of 10th grades and 5% of 12th graders have abused cocaine (Goldstein). Students who abused cocaine or crack are five times more likely to dropout than those who did not use cocaine or crack. Those who dropout will either sell drugs or commit crime to obtain drugs. In 2007, the United States Federal Courts found 5,477 individuals guilty of cocaine related crimes. More than 95% of the offenders were involved in trafficking (drugabuse.org). Cocaine has been the driving force behind the majority of drug-related violence throughout the 1900’s to present day. Media is a large influence in the romanticizing of cocaine, as it’s seen in music (“Light it Up” by Buck Cherry and “My Michelle” by Guns ‘N Roses) movies (Scar-face, Superbad, and Straight Outta Compton). Those that idealize NWA, know these rappers sold, bought or covered drugs (especially cocaine). Cocaine is the main target of the War on Drugs and continues to be one of the highest profits of the drug trade. The violence that has surrounded the