Cocaine
By Nick Imparato and Kalie Moore
What is Cocaine?
There are two types of cocaine:
Powder cocaine- The powder form of cocaine that is usually combined with cornstarch, sugar, talcum powder, and sometimes procaine. it is sniffed.
Crack- Rock crystal form of cocaine that is combined with ammonia or baking soda and water. It is smoked.
How is Cocaine used?
-Snorted or mixed with water and injected with a needle.
-Can be rubbed into gums and tissue
Crack:
-Smoked with a pipe.
How does Cocaine affect the brain?
Use:
-Changes communication between nerve cells-Causes buildup of the neurotransmitter in the brain
-Causes increased energy and intense pleasure
Repeated use:
-Lose ability to feel pleasure
-After used, person feels sad or tired
-Causes addiction
What are other effects of Cocaine?
-High blood pressure
-Stomach ache
-Loss of weight
-Loss of appetite
-Can not sleep
-Increased risk of heart attacks or strokes
-High risk of HIV
-Lose sense of smell
-Nose bleeds
Can you get addicted to Cocaine?
-If you use it again and again, it will cause tolerance to the drug.
-This means that it will take more Cocaine to get the same high feeling.
Can you die if you use Cocaine?
-5,400 people have died from using Cocaine.
-You can die from Cocaine when you overdose or combine it with other drugs and alcohol.
How many teens use Cocaine?
Cocaine:
Lifetime-
8th graders: 1.60
10th graders: 2.70
12th graders: 4.00
Past Year-
8th graders: 0.90
10th graders: 1.80
12th graders: 2.50
Past Month-
8th graders: 0.50
10th graders: 0.80
12th graders: 1.10
Crack Cocaine:
Lifetime-
8th graders: 1.00
10th graders: 1.10
12th graders: 1.70
Past Year-
8th graders: 0.50
10th graders: 0.70
12th graders: 1.10
Past Month-
8th graders: 0.30
10th graders: 0.30
12th graders: 0.60
What should you do if someone needs help?
Call- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-talk)
Information on treatment:
Call- Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator (1-800-622-HELP)