Cocaine

Cocaine (Benzoylmethyl Ecgonine)

Street names

Coke, Charlie, Snow, Dust, C, Freebase 

General information

Cocaine is derived from the Cocoa Leaves shrub in South America and has been used since 2,500 BC. It was identified as a local anaesthetic for surgery in 1884

It is a white powder that can be sniffed or dabbed on the gums or a solution for injecting. Injecting increases the associated risks. Cocaine and Heroin can be injected together –this is known as Speedballing.

Users develop a tolerance and dependence to Cocaine which can be financially expensive and damaging to health and wellbeing. 

Effects

• The first effects can be felt after 12-20 minutes and lasts for 15-30 minutes.
• Users experience feelings of exhilaration, confidence excitement and some times aggressive behaviour
• Cocaine can cause, increased blood pressure, heightened alertness, nervousness and irritability, confusion, panic attacks convulsions and weight loss 

Risks:

• The physical effects can be damaged teeth, gum disease, ulcers, kidney failure, bleeding (haemorrhage), liver damage, chest pain, abnormal heart rhythms inflammation of the heart muscles, respiratory collapse, cardiac arrest  or strokes,
• Long term damage can occur to nose membranes as a result of snorting 
• Use can also cause, loss of sense of smell, memory loss, tiredness, paranoid psychosis, social isolation, hallucinations, obsession, repetitive behaviours or even death

Class

Class A