Cocaine

•Scientific name is Benzoylmethyl ecogine

•Structural formula is C17H21NO4

•Street names are coke, dust, snow, nose candy, rock, and crack.

Stimulant

Blocks neurotransmitters such as

-serotonin

-dopamine

Produces euphoria and feeling “high”

Schedule II

-high abuse potential

-high dependence on drug

History

The Incas chewed coca leaves to increase breathing to survive in the thin mountain air.Chemist Albert Niemann was the first to extract cocaineSigmund Freud began promoting cocaineJohn Pemberton used coca leaves as an ingredient in Coca-Cola.

Production

The first phase involves extracting crude coca paste from the coca leaves.

In the second phase, the coca paste is purified, turning it into cocaine base.

The third phase involves converting the cocaine base into cocaine hydrochloride.

The User

Adults between the age of 18-25

Ironically, most of the users are not in college

Usually obtained illegally from drug dealers on the streets and in nightclubs

Affects

Administered through:

-injection

-orally

-inhaling

Euphoria last about 10-15 minutes

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Risks

Physical

Increased heart rate

Heart attacks

Chest pain

Seizures

Strokes

Constricted blood vessels

Emotional

Addiction

Irritability

Depression

Paranoia

Auditory hallucinations

Detection

Samples: -hair -blood -saliva -urine

Cocaine test swabs and ‘Cocaine Torch’

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Consequences

Misdemeanor

Fine

Drug counseling

Community service

probation

Felony

Prison sentence

Large fine

Mandatory drug counseling