Slang Terms:
coke, "C", snow, snowflake, flake, blow, crack, dust, girl, nose candy

Short Term Effects:
Psychological Effects
· Increased energy
· Irritability
· Aggressiveness
· Depression
· Paranoia
· Mood disturbances

Adverse Physical Effects
· Stroke/heart attack
· Increased heart rate
· Respiratory arrest
· Decreased appetite
· Dilated pupils
· Increased temperature
· Restlessness
· Auditory hallucinations
· Nasal damage
· Increased blood pressure

Long Term Effects:
· Addiction
· Death related to cardiac arrest
or seizure
· Organ damage
· Malnutrition

Cocaine

Form

Cocaine can be taken intranasally, intravenously, orally, or smoked.

When and Why is it Used?

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that directly affects the brain. It is considered the drug of choice of the 90's and is used primarily by people between the ages of 18-25.

Other Facts

A cocaine "high" lasts only about 5 to 20 minutes.

"Crack" is a freebase form of cocaine that when smoked, takes effect almost immediately but lasts only a few minutes.

Cocaine is the most powerful stimulant of natural origin.

Having tried cocaine, one cannot predict or control the extent to which one will become addicted.

Frequent snorting of cocaine can lead to losing the sense of smell, nosebleeds, and a chronically runny nose.

Frequent injectors of cocaine put themselves at risk for the HIV/AIDS virus.

Cocaine is a Schedule II Drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

When cocaine and alcohol are combined, the human liver manufactures a third substance, cocaethylene. This intensifies cocaine's euphoric effects, while also possibly increasing the risk of sudden death.