Drugs and Our Drugs and Our SocietySociety

StimulantsStimulantsCocaine / Amphetamines / Cocaine / Amphetamines /

Caffeine / NicotineCaffeine / NicotinePart 7Part 7

StimulantsStimulants1.1. During times of fatigue and lethargyDuring times of fatigue and lethargy

-- people at times look for substances to people at times look for substances to elevate their moodelevate their mood

-- to make them energeticto make them energetic-- and stimulates provide these effectsand stimulates provide these effects

2.2. They modify a person’s activity level / mood They modify a person’s activity level / mood / and central nervous system/ and central nervous system-- cocaine and methamphetamine are cocaine and methamphetamine are illegalillegal-- other amphetamines require a other amphetamines require a prescription prescription -- still others, caffeine and nicotine, are still others, caffeine and nicotine, are the the most widely used drugs in the worldmost widely used drugs in the world

Stimulants, contStimulants, cont3.3. They impact the CNSThey impact the CNS

-- speeding up mental and physical speeding up mental and physical processes processes in the bodyin the body

-- this is why they are called “uppers”this is why they are called “uppers”

4.4. CocaineCocaine in 2006 in 2006

-- there are over 3 million occasional there are over 3 million occasional users in users in the United Statesthe United States

-- occasional users are no more than occasional users are no more than 12 times 12 times in a yearin a year

-- 4 million 4 million hardcorehardcore use at least use at least once a week once a week

Cocaine, contCocaine, cont5.5. Cocaine comes from the leaves of the Cocaine comes from the leaves of the

coca plantcoca plant

-- specifically, the erythroxylon cocaspecifically, the erythroxylon coca

-- cocaine is one of 18 alkaloids cocaine is one of 18 alkaloids coming from coming from the plantthe plant

6.6. Natives of the Andes mountains chewed Natives of the Andes mountains chewed coca leaves to relieve fatiguecoca leaves to relieve fatigue

-- it was also used for spiritual it was also used for spiritual reasons and for reasons and for well-beingwell-being

-- many plantation owners paid their many plantation owners paid their workers workers with coca leaveswith coca leaves

Cocaine, contCocaine, cont7.7. Chewing coca leaves does not seem to Chewing coca leaves does not seem to

cause independencecause independence-- leaves contain less than 2% cocaineleaves contain less than 2% cocaine-- chewed or brewed in tea does not chewed or brewed in tea does not cause cause biological harm or social biological harm or social dysfunctiondysfunction

8.8. There are over 200 types of coca plants, There are over 200 types of coca plants, but only 3 types of coca leaves are used but only 3 types of coca leaves are used in the production of cocainein the production of cocaine-- Huanuco coca: Bolivia and PeruHuanuco coca: Bolivia and Peru-- Amazonian coca: Amazon River Amazonian coca: Amazon River regionregion-- Colombian coca: ColumbiaColombian coca: Columbia

Cocaine, contCocaine, cont9.9. According to the US Department of State, the According to the US Department of State, the

production levels of cocaine are:production levels of cocaine are:

-- Columbia: 521,400 metric tons Columbia: 521,400 metric tons (1,042,800,000 lbs)(1,042,800,000 lbs)

-- Peru: 69,200 metric tons (138,400,000 Peru: 69,200 metric tons (138,400,000 lbs.)lbs.)

-- Bolivia: 22,800 metric tons (45,600,000 Bolivia: 22,800 metric tons (45,600,000 lbs.)lbs.)

10.10. The cocaine trade is run by drug cartelsThe cocaine trade is run by drug cartels

-- they maintain their own small armiesthey maintain their own small armies

-- using force and fear to protect their using force and fear to protect their empiresempires

Properties of cocaineProperties of cocaine1.1. It is an odorless, crystalline, white It is an odorless, crystalline, white

powderpowder

-- producing intense euphoria / producing intense euphoria / alertness / alertness / and energyand energy

-- it also inhibits appetite and sleepit also inhibits appetite and sleep

2.2. It works on that portion of the brain that It works on that portion of the brain that controls pleasure and reinforcementcontrols pleasure and reinforcement

-- it is directly related to the effect of it is directly related to the effect of dopaminedopamine

3.3. Methods of intake: Methods of intake:

snorted / smoked / and injectedsnorted / smoked / and injected

Cocaine, contCocaine, cont4.4. Snorted cocaineSnorted cocaine

-- effects in about 3 minuteseffects in about 3 minutes

-- peaks after 15 to 20 minutespeaks after 15 to 20 minutes

-- wears off in 60 to 90 minuteswears off in 60 to 90 minutes

5.5. Injected cocaineInjected cocaine

-- effects within seconds (8 to 10)effects within seconds (8 to 10)

-- almost instantaneousalmost instantaneous

-- peaking in 3 to 5 minutespeaking in 3 to 5 minutes

-- wears off in 30 to 40 minuteswears off in 30 to 40 minutes

Crack cocaineCrack cocaine1.1. Crack emerged in the 1980s, but was first Crack emerged in the 1980s, but was first

reported in the late 1970sreported in the late 1970s

-- it is a product of mixing cocaine with it is a product of mixing cocaine with baking baking powder and waterpowder and water

-- it is then heatedit is then heated

-- this is referred to as this is referred to as freebasefreebase (2 (2 methods)methods)

2.2. This process produces small chunks or rocksThis process produces small chunks or rocks

-- these can be smoked these can be smoked

-- which is the usual methodwhich is the usual method

-- but it can also be injectedbut it can also be injected

Crack cocaine, contCrack cocaine, cont3.3. The euphoria from crack is briefThe euphoria from crack is brief

-- it lasts about 10 to 20 minutesit lasts about 10 to 20 minutes

-- the desire to repeat usage is highthe desire to repeat usage is high

-- but most people who have used but most people who have used crack do crack do not continue to use itnot continue to use it

4.4. Crack has been related to violenceCrack has been related to violence

-- but that is primarily due to the drug but that is primarily due to the drug tradetrade

-- 300 gang members in San Francisco 300 gang members in San Francisco who do who do not use the drug, but use not use the drug, but use violence to control violence to control the selling of crackthe selling of crack

Cocaine ParaphernaliaCocaine Paraphernalia1.1. What police officers look forWhat police officers look for

-- dealers: mirrors / razor blades / dealers: mirrors / razor blades / scales used scales used to weigh drug / pagers / cell to weigh drug / pagers / cell phonesphones-- users: mirror / coke spoon / fancy users: mirror / coke spoon / fancy straws / straws / odd assortment of containers / odd assortment of containers / white white powder on the nose / crack pipepowder on the nose / crack pipe

2.2. Thinking CriticallyThinking Critically““Cocaine use can be reduced by reducing Cocaine use can be reduced by reducing the amount of cocaine entering the the amount of cocaine entering the country or by reducing the demand for country or by reducing the demand for the drug. Do you favor more enforcement the drug. Do you favor more enforcement or persuading people not to take drugs?”or persuading people not to take drugs?”

Popularity of cocainePopularity of cocaine1.1. Entertainment and the mediaEntertainment and the media

-- glorifies drug useglorifies drug use

-- people who deal have the money and people who deal have the money and powerpower

-- news stories talk of the failure of the policenews stories talk of the failure of the police

2.2. MusicMusic

-- 1930’s/1940’s: Cole Porter’s “I Get a Kick 1930’s/1940’s: Cole Porter’s “I Get a Kick Out of you”Out of you”

-- “I get no kick from cocaine, I’m sure that if “I get no kick from cocaine, I’m sure that if I I took even one sniff, it would bore me terri-took even one sniff, it would bore me terri-

fically too, but I still get a kick out of you”fically too, but I still get a kick out of you”

Popularity, contPopularity, cont3.3. 1960’s the reference to drugs in music were 1960’s the reference to drugs in music were

increasingincreasing

-- Grateful Dead: “Casey Jones”/“Let It Grateful Dead: “Casey Jones”/“Let It Bleed”Bleed”

-- Rolling Stones: “Sister Morphine”Rolling Stones: “Sister Morphine”

-- Eric Clapton: “Cocaine”Eric Clapton: “Cocaine”

4.4. LiteratureLiterature

-- references to cocaine are found in references to cocaine are found in fiction fiction and non-fiction novelsand non-fiction novels

-- “Snowblind”: John Belushi’s life story“Snowblind”: John Belushi’s life story

-- even found in comic books read by even found in comic books read by childrenchildren

Physical and psychological Physical and psychological effects of cocaineeffects of cocaine

1.1. Research to date has not found a Research to date has not found a “cocaine personality”“cocaine personality”-- not all cocaine users experience not all cocaine users experience dependence dependence and/or withdrawaland/or withdrawal-- but they do build up a tolerance to but they do build up a tolerance to effects effects of the drugof the drug-- withdrawal symptoms are not like withdrawal symptoms are not like narcotic narcotic withdrawalwithdrawal-- it does include depression / lack of it does include depression / lack of energy / energy / poor appetite / less pleasure poor appetite / less pleasure from activities from activities / restlessness / / restlessness / agitationagitation

Physical / psychological effects, Physical / psychological effects, contcont

2.2. 3 phases follow abstinence of chronic users3 phases follow abstinence of chronic users-- intense cravingintense craving: agitation / anorexia / : agitation / anorexia /

deep depression (this “crash” can last deep depression (this “crash” can last from from 9 hours up to 4 days)9 hours up to 4 days)-- withdrawalwithdrawal: incapable of feeling : incapable of feeling normal normal pleasure /moderate depression / pleasure /moderate depression / sleepless-sleepless- ness can last up to 10 weeks ness can last up to 10 weeks (usually stabil-(usually stabil- izes after 7 to 10 days)izes after 7 to 10 days)-- ExtinctionExtinction: improvement is : improvement is considerable / considerable / periods of depression periods of depression (occasional cravings(occasional cravings can last for months can last for months or even years)or even years)

Death from cocaineDeath from cocaine1.1. Can cause irregular heartbeat / high blood Can cause irregular heartbeat / high blood

pressure / chest pains / and can trigger pressure / chest pains / and can trigger heart attacksheart attacks

2.2. It is capable of destroying the heart It is capable of destroying the heart musclemuscle

-- by disrupting the blood supplyby disrupting the blood supply

3.3. Coronary artery disease is relatively Coronary artery disease is relatively common in cocaine userscommon in cocaine users

4.4. Uncontrolled seizures / strokes / paralysis Uncontrolled seizures / strokes / paralysis of the breathing muscles can also occurof the breathing muscles can also occur

5.5. Lethal doses of cocaine have not yet been Lethal doses of cocaine have not yet been determineddetermined

Death, contDeath, cont-- some people die from relatively some people die from relatively low levelslow levels

-- or by mixing their drugs (polydrug)or by mixing their drugs (polydrug)

6.6. Dawn (Drug Abuse Warning Network)Dawn (Drug Abuse Warning Network)

-- almost 5000 people die yearly from almost 5000 people die yearly from cocaine cocaine useuse

-- mostly males over the age of 35mostly males over the age of 35