Cocaine is an extracted drug from the leafs of the Erythoxylum Novogratense plant or coca leaf.  For thousands of years the inhabitants of the Andes mountains of South America have chewed the leaves of the coca plant for the stimulating effect.  In 1860, a German graduate student, Albert Nieman, first isolated cocaine from the coca leaf.  In 1884, Dr. Karl Koller discovered the local anesthetic properties of cocaine and began using it in eye surgery.  At the time it was the only local anesthetic available. 

            By the turn of the century, cocaine, along with alcohol and opium, was used in large quantities in many patent medicines.  These medicines were touted to cure everything from stomach disorders, to nervous disorders, asthma, hay fever, fatigue, depression, and to increase vigor and vitality.  These unregulated medicines contributed to an ever-growing addiction to cocaine and opiates.  Due to the growing evidence of  harmful side effects the use of cocaine was restricted with the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 and was labeled a narcotic under the Harrison Narcotics Act of 1914.  Cocaine is a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substance Act as it has legitimate medical uses as a local anesthetic for ear, nose and throat surgery.

What does cocaine look like?

            Cocaine hydrochloride, or powder cocaine, is a white chunky or powdery substance.  It is often cut with other agents to increase the profits of the drug dealer.  Cocaine base, or crack cocaine, is can vary in color from yellow to off white to white in color.  It is most often a somewhat translucent rock like substance that resembles white soap or plaster. 

What can cocaine be cut with?

            Powder cocaine can be cut with Amphetamine, Benzocaine, Caffeine, Corn starch, Dextrose, Ephedrine, Flour, Inositol, Lactose, Lidocaine, Mannitol, Phenylpropanolamine, Procaine, Sucrose, Talc, Tetracaine or Quinine.  Crack cocaine, being virtually pure cocaine, is not cut.  Crack cocaine is the removal of impurities from cocaine, hence the name cocaine base. 

How is cocaine ingested?

            Cocaine Hydrochloride readily dissolves in water and in the mucous linings of the nasal passages.  The most common method is by inhaling or snorting it into the nostrils.  The cocaine is prepared by placing it on a smooth surface such as a mirror.  A credit card, razor blade or other stiff, thin edged object is then used to chop the cocaine into a fine powder.  The powder is made into thin strips or lines and snorted through some sort of straw or tube.   To inject cocaine hydrochloride, the cocaine is placed in a spoon with a small amount of water to dissolve it.  It is then drawn into a syringe, often through a piece of cotton to remove the impurities, and injected into a vein.

            Crack cocaine is a form of freebase cocaine.  In the 1970’s cocaine was freebased with highly flammable chemicals that resulted in a number of highly publicized injuries.  In recent years the production of crack cocaine with out the use of flammable chemicals was discovered.  Crack cocaine is taken into the body by smoking or vaporizing the cocaine. 

How is cocaine packaged?

            Cocaine is often packaged in plastic bags, dollar bills or other paper binders called snow seals, small vials, film containers or aluminum foil.

What are the physical effects associated with the use of heroin?

Cocaine is a fast acting stimulant that causes a euphoric “:rush” or “high.”  When smoked cocaine enters the blood stream in seconds and produces a rush that lasts 1 – 5 minutes.  The high lasts 10 – 20 minutes.  When snorted the effects are felt within 3 – 5 minutes and the high lasts up to 60 minutes.  When injected an intense rush occurs within 3 – 5 minutes and the high lasts 20 – 30 minutes.   Listed below are several observations that may be seen in an individual under the influence of cocaine.

Dilated pupils                                  Increased pulse rate

Increased blood pressure                 Increased body temperature

Rigid muscle tone                           Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Talkativeness                                 Anxiety

Body tremors                                 Restlessness

Runny nose                                   Nasal redness

Injection sites if used intravenously

                 Powder Cocaine                                                                            Crack Cocaine