What Is Cocaine?

Cocaine prof.aza

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What is cocaine?  Cocaine

belongs to a group of drugs known as ‘stimulants’. Stimulants speed up the activity of the central nervous system‑the messages going to and from the brain. Amphetamines (or ‘speed’) and nicotine  are also stimulants.  Cocaine most commonly comes in the form of a white, odourless powder called ‘cocaine hydrochloride’. It has a bitter, numbing taste. The powder is extracted from the leaves of the coca bush, found mainly in Peru and Bolivia . The extract is then processed with various chemicals. prof. aza

How is it used? 

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Cocaine is inhaled (snorted) through the nose, or injected. It is also smoked through a process known as ‘freebasing’‑where the cocaine is converted to an alkaloid form. Cocaine hydrochloride cannot be smoked, since the drug is destroyed at high temperatures. ‘Crack’ is a very pure form of freebase cocaine sold in the form of small crystals or rocks. Crakc is smoked in pipes or in cigarettes, mixed with tobacco or marijuana. Crack has rarely been seen in Australia . Like other illegally manufactured drugs, such as ‘speed’, there are no controls on factors such as the strength and hygiene of cocaine. Cocaine may be mixed, or ‘cut’, with other substances such as sugar, baking soda and talcum powder to increase profits. This increases the risk of experiencing harmful or unpleasant effects. Cocaine was used as a local anaesthetic for eye, ear and throat surgery. Recently cocaine has been replaced with synthetic anaesthetics (e.g. lidocaine), but it continues to have limited use in certain surgical procedures. prof. aza

 Like

other illegally manufactured drugs, such as ‘speed’, there are no controls on factors such as the strength and hygiene of cocaine. Cocaine may be mixed, or ‘cut’, with other substances such as sugar, baking soda and talcum powder to increase profits. This increases the risk of experiencing harmful or unpleasant effects.  Cocaine was used as a local anaesthetic for eye, ear and throat surgery. Recently cocaine has been replaced with synthetic anaesthetics (e.g. lidocaine), but it continues to have limited use in certain surgical procedures.

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Street names  C,

coke, flake, nose candy, snow, dust, white, white lady, toot, crack, rock, freebase

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Cocaine use in Australia According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s 2001 National Drug Household Survey 1 of Australians aged 14 and over:  4.4 per cent of Australians reported having used cocaine at some stage in their life.  Of those who had ever used cocaine, the average initiation age was 22.6.  1 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2002 2001 National Drug Household Survey First Results, AIHW, Canberra

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Effects of cocaine  The

effects of any drug (including cocaine) vary from person to person. It depends on many factors, including an individual’s size, weight and health, how much and how the drug is taken, whether the person is used to taking it and whether other drugs are taken. It also depends on the environment in which the drug is used‑for example, whether the person is alone, with others or at a party.

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Immediate effects Many people have experienced the following effects shortly after taking cocaine:  physiological arousal, including increased body temperature and heart rate  exhilaration  anxiety  feelings of well-being  decreased hunger  panic

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poor concentration and judgement indifference to pain and fatigue feelings of great physical strength and mental capacity enlarged pupils sexual arousal unpredictable and/or violent behaviour

When inhaled, the effects of cocaine peak after 15 to 30 minutes, and then diminish. In greater quantities Using large quantities of cocaine repeatedly over a period of hours can lead to:  extreme agitation   anxiety   paranoia   hallucinations  dizziness   nausea and vomiting   tremors   unpredictable  violent/aggressive behaviour   loss of concentration

loss of coordination loss of interest in sex loss of ambition and motivation heart pain heart attack paranoid psychosis increased body temperature rapid, irregular and shallow breathing.

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Overdose The dosage and method of use that can cause cocaine overdose varies from person to person. The effects of overdose are very intense and, generally, short in nature. Although uncommon, deaths have been recorded from cocaine overdose due to:  seizures  heart attack  brain haemorrhage  kidney failure  stroke  repeated convulsions prof. aza

Long-term effects People who have used cocaine over longer periods tend to take cocaine in high quantities‑‘binges’ interrupted by ‘crashes’.  A ‘binge’ is where the drug is taken repeatedly over several hours or days. The person may attempt to end the binge by taking a depressant drug such as alcohol, benzodiazepines or heroin. The binge is followed by the ‘crash’‑a period characterised by intense depression, lethargy and hunger.  The unpleasant effects of cocaine increase with more frequent, long-term use. This often results in the person discontinuing their use for a period of time. Most of the following symptoms will dissipate once cocaine use ceases: prof. aza

Most of the following symptoms will dissipate once cocaine use ceases:  restlessness

 psychosis

 nausea

 paranoia

 hyper-excitability

 exhaustion

 insomnia

 hallucinations

 weight

loss

 depression/inability

to experience pleasure (anhedonia).

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Dangers in method of use There are a number of dangers relating to the method of using cocaine:  Repeated snorting damages the lining of the nose and nasal passages, and can also damage the structure separating the nostrils.  Cocaine is often mixed with substances that are poisonous when injected. This may cause collapsed veins, abscesses and damage to the heart, liver and brain. In addition, because people who use cocaine often don’t know the exact purity and strength of the drug they are taking, chances of overdose and death are also increased. prof. aza

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injected into the skin, either by intent or accident, cocaine causes severe vasoconstriction, which may prevent blood flowing to the tissue, potentially resulting in severe tissue damage. This can occur after just one injection of cocaine.  There is increased risk of transmission of blood-borne viruses and infections such as HIV , hepatitis B and hepatitis C.  Smoking cocaine can cause breathing difficulties, chronic cough, chest pain and lung damage prof. aza

Long-term injection can result in:  blood

vessels becoming blocked by substances mixed with cocaine, which can lead to major damage to bodily organs  inflamed blood vessels and abscesses.  HIV and hepatitis: sharing needles, syringes and other injecting equipment can greatly increase the risk of contracting blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV  (Human Immunodeficiency Virus - the virus that causes AIDS). prof. aza

Cocaine and other drugs 

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Cocaine is often mixed with other drugs to enhance its desirable effects or to help the person cope with the undesirable effects of cocaine. These substances may include alcohol, cannabis, heroin or benzodiazepines. The consequences of mixing cocaine with other substances are often unpredictable. Mixing cocaine with alcohol produces a substance in the blood called ‘cocaethylene’, which can be more toxic to the body than the cocaine itself. Injecting cocaine and heroin at the same time can affect the area of the brain that controls breathing, increasing the chances of coma and death. Generally, health risks increase when mixing cocaine with other drugs, especially when large quantities are taken. prof. aza

Tolerance and dependence Tolerance  Initial tolerance to cocaine develops rapidly with continual heavy use. After this initial level is reached, people who use cocaine don’t appear to develop tolerance for increasing amounts. Regular users may in fact develop a ‘reverse tolerance’, whereby they experience the effects of the drug more intensely. Tolerance to cocaine may not be obvious due to the tendency to mix cocaine with other drugs such as heroin and alcohol. prof. aza

Dependence 

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Physical dependence upon a drug occurs when a person’s body is used to functioning with the drug present in the system. Physical dependence on cocaine has not yet been established. Psychological dependence occurs when using a drug becomes more important than other activities in a person’s life. Because of its powerful euphoric effects, cocaine users may develop a strong psychological dependence upon it. Even after long periods of abstinence, strong cravings can persist. A person who has become dependent upon cocaine may find it difficult to stop using it. Those who have stopped using cocaine may be prone to relapse.

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Withdrawal  Withdrawal

symptoms occur when a person dependent on a drug stops using it or significantly cuts down the amount they are using. Cocaine withdrawal generally occurs in three phases:  1. ‘Crash’, which describes symptoms experienced immediately after the person stops using cocaine‑usually in the first two to four days

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1. ‘Crash’, which describes symptoms experienced immediately after the person stops using cocaine‑usually in the first two to four days. Symptoms include:  agitation  depression  intense craving for the drug  extreme fatigue prof. aza

2. Withdrawal, which can last up to ten weeks and is characterised by:  depression  lack of energy  anxiety  intense craving  angry outbursts prof. aza

3. Extinction, which can last indefinitely, and includes symptoms of episodic cravings for cocaine, usually in response to conditioned cues. These cravings may surface months or years after the person has stopped using cocaine.  Other withdrawal symptoms that may be experienced include:  lack of motivation  inability to feel any pleasure  nausea/vomiting  shaking  irritability/agitation  muscle pain  long, but disturbed sleep.

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Treatment options  There

are a number of drug treatment options available in Australia . While abstinence may be a suitable treatment aim for some people, many programs recognise that for others this may not be possible or realistic. Most programs adopt strategies that have an overall aim of reducing the harms and risks related to the person’s drug use.  Some treatment options include counseling, withdrawal (detoxification) and pharmacotherapy. Residential and ‘outpatient’ programs are available. prof. aza

Pregnancy and breastfeeding  

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Pregnancy Research indicates that effects of cocaine use during pregnancy may cause bleeding, miscarriage, premature labour and stillbirth. Cocaine increases the heart rate in both the mother and baby, and the supply of blood and oxygen to the baby is reduced. This means the baby is more likely to be small and grow slowly both before and after birth. If cocaine is used close to birth, the baby may be born intoxicated, showing symptoms of hyperactivity and agitation. Withdrawal symptoms can occur in the babies of mothers who use cocaine regularly. These include sleepiness and lack of responsiveness. To date, research is inconclusive as to whether children of mothers who use cocaine experience any long-term mental or physical effects. Some studies suggest that malformations of the genito-urinary tract, heart, limbs and/or face occur in the babies of women who use cocaine prof. aza

Breastfeeding  It

is likely that cocaine will reach the baby through breast milk. The effect this has on the baby will depend on factors such as the amount and strength of cocaine used, and the time between using cocaine and feeding the baby. Symptoms may include the baby being irritable, unsettled and difficult to feed.  See your doctor or other health professional if you are taking or planning to take any substances while pregnant or breastfeeding, including prescribed and over-the-counter medications prof. aza

Cocaine and driving  It

is illegal for anyone to drive under the influence of any drug (including cocaine). Breaking this law carries penalties including disqualification from driving, heavy fines and/or imprisonment. Due to the nature of its psychological and physical effects, it is dangerous to drive a vehicle after taking cocaine. If cocaine is combined with other drugs, such as alcohol, the risk of accident is further increased. prof. aza

Cocaine and social problems  Cocaine

users can become preoccupied with purchasing, preparing, using and recovering from the effects of use of cocaine, neglecting other areas of their life. All areas of a person’s life, including family, work, and personal relationships, can be affected by drug use. For example, arguments over drug use can cause family and relationship problems that may lead to break-up. Some effects of cocaine, such as anxiety, paranoia and irrational behaviour, may further exacerbate these problems.

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Reducing the risks  Australian

drug policy is based on harm minimisation. This is about reducing drug-related harm to both the community and individual drug users.  Harm-minimisation strategies range from encouraging ‘non-use’ through to providing the means for people to use drugs with fewer risks.  For further ‘tips’ on how to reduce the risks of using cocaine, call the alcohol and drug information service in your State or Territory.  Remember there is no safe level of drug use. prof. aza

What to do in a crisis 

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If someone overdoses or has an adverse reaction while using cocaine it is very important that they receive professional help as soon as possible. A quick response can save their life. Call an ambulance. Dial 000. Don't delay because you think you or the person might get into trouble. Ambulance officers are not obliged to involve the police. Stay with the person until the ambulance arrives. Find out if anyone at the scene knows mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Ensure the person has adequate air by keeping crowds back and opening windows. Loosen tight clothing.

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If the person is unconscious, don’t leave them on their back —they could choke. Turn them on their side and into the recovery position. Gently tilt their head back so their tongue does not block the airway. If the person has stopped breathing, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If there is no pulse, apply CPR. Provide the ambulance officers with as much information as you can‑how much cocaine was taken, how long ago, and any pre-existing medical conditions. Arrange with friends before cocaine is taken about what to do in a crisis.

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What to do…… 

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If the person is unconscious, don’t leave them on their back —they could choke. Turn them on their side and into the recovery position. Gently tilt their head back so their tongue does not block the airway. If the person has stopped breathing, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If there is no pulse, apply CPR. Provide the ambulance officers with as much information as you can‑how much cocaine was taken, how long ago, and any pre-existing medical conditions. Arrange with friends before cocaine is taken about what to do in a crisis.

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Coca eradication prof. aza

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Coca eradication is a controversial strategy strongly promoted by the United States government as part of its " War on Drugs" to eliminate the cultivation of coca, a plant whose leaves are not only traditionally used by indigenous cultures but also, in modern society, in the manufacture of cocaine. This prohibitionist strategy is being pursued in the coca-growing regions of Colombia (Plan Colombia), Peru, and Bolivia, where it is highly controversial because of its environmental and its socioeconomic impact. Furthermore, indigenous cultures living in the Altiplano, such as the Aymaras, considers the coca leave to be a traditional product (which they dub the "millenary leaf"), which they use to fool the feeling of hunger, sleepiness and head-aches linked to altitude and other altitude sicknesses. The growers of coca are named Cocaleros and part of the coca production for traditional use is legal in Peru and Bolivia.

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Coca eradication in Bolivia prof. aza

Environmental impact 

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Plots denuded of coca plants by mechanical means (burning or cutting) or chemical herbicides, such as Monsanto's Roundup, are abandoned and cause serious problems with erosion in seasonal rains. In addition, the U.S. has also been involved in the application of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum to wipe out coca[citation needed]; that fungus poses serious hazards both to humans and to other plant species. In 2000, the Congress of the United States approved use of Fusarium as a biological control agent to kill coca crops in Colombia (and another fungus to kill opium poppies in Afghanistan), but these plans were canceled by then-President Clinton, who was concerned that the unilateral use of a biological agent would be perceived by the rest of the world as biological warfare. The Andean nations have since banned its use throughout the region. (The use of biological agents to kill crops may be illegal under the Biological Weapons Convention of 1975.) prof. aza

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Source: DEA Intelligence Division, December 2001 On June 25, 2003, the Superior Administrative Court of the Colombian department of Cundinamarca ordered a stop to the spraying of glyphosate herbicides until the government complies with the environmental management plan for the eradication program. It also mandated a series of studies to protect public health and the environment.[1] The Colombian State Council, the country's maximum administrative authority, later overruled the court's decision to stop fumigations. [2] prof. aza

Socioeconomic impact 

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In the sierra of Peru, Bolivia, and northern Argentina, coca has been consumed (by chewing and brewing in infusion) for thousands of years as a stimulant and cure for altitude sickness; it also has symbolic value. The sale and consumption of coca (but not pure cocaine) is legal and legitimate in these countries. With the growth of the Colombian drug cartels in the 1980s, coca leaf became a valuable agricultural commodity, particularly in Peru and Bolivia, where the quality of coca is higher than in Colombia. To supply the foreign markets, the cartels expanded the cultivation to areas where coca was not a traditional crop. Many poor campesinos, driven from the central highlands by lack of land or loss of jobs, migrated to the lowlands and valleys of the eastern Andes, where they turned to the cultivation of coca.

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To counter this development, the U.S. government, through its foreign aid agency USAID, has promoted a policy of crop substitution, whereby coca cultivation is replaced by coffee, banana, pineapple, palm heart, and other crops suitable for a tropical climate. Prices for these products are extremely low, however; moreover, many remote coca-growing areas lack the infrastructure to get such perishable products to market on time. The price of coca, on the other hand, has remained high; and, when dried, coca stores well and is easily transportable. To date, virtually all the crop substition programs implemented in Peru and Bolivia have failed, primarily because the campesinos are not guaranteed an adequate price for alternative products.

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The Chapare and Yungas coca-growing zones in Bolivia. Source: US General Accountability Office

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Geopolitical issues 

Given the above-mentioned considerations, many critics of coca eradication believe the fundamental goal of the U.S. government is to constrict the flow of income to the Colombian Marxist rebel movement, FARC, which is heavily funded by the illegal drug trade, rather than combating drugs per se. Few if any such critics have anything favorable to say about the illicit drug trade, but they point out that under the current coca eradication policies, poor campesinos bear the brunt of efforts to combat it, while North American and European chemical companies (which supply chemicals needed in the manufacture of cocaine) and banks (which annually launder hundreds of billions of dollars in illegal revenues) continue to profit from the trade. prof. aza

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Article 26 of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, a treaty promulgated with U.S. backing in 1961, states that "The Parties shall so far as possible enforce the uprooting of all coca bushes which grow wild. They shall destroy the coca bushes if illegally cultivated." The US-based Drug Enforcement Administration, along with local governments, has frequently clashed with cocaleros in attempts to eradicate coca across the Andes. This map shows the Chapare region in Bolivia, which has historically been heavily targeted for coca eradication. Human rights NGOs such as Human Rights Watch have accused the US of human rights abuses in the "coca war", including the use of paramilitary death squads against cocaleros [3]

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Results 

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In November 2003, the US Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) claimed the area planted with coca in Peru and Bolivia combined fell by 35 km² in the year up to June, which would suggest that a crop eradication program in neighboring Colombia was not driving production over the borders. According to its estimates, the area cultivated with coca in Bolivia rose from 244 km² in 2002 to 284.5 km² in June 2003, but this increase was more than offset in Peru, where the area fell from 366 km² to 311.5 km². However, the U.S. figures were very different from preliminary estimates in September 2003 by the head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Colombia, which indicated that output in Peru and Bolivia may have risen by as much 21 %, or 150 km², so far this year. The White House office said its estimate was based on sampling from high resolution satellite imagery. The United Nations used a different technique and had not yet put out any formal estimate for 2003.

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At the start of 2003, there were 1,740 km² of coca in worldwide cultivation, and Colombia represented more than 60% of that total. Critics of the Colombian eradication program had predicted that it would lead to higher coca production in Peru and Bolivia. [4] However, a March 2005 report by the ONDCP indicated that despite record aerial spraying of over 1,300 km² of coca in Colombia in 2004, the total area under coca cultivation remained "statistically unchanged" at 1,140 km². In response to the report, the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), an NGO that monitors the impact of US foreign policy in Latin America, observed that the aerial spraying strategy appeared to have hit its limits. According to WOLA, the new ONDCP data suggested a continued "balloon effect" as aggressive spraying in some areas has not deterred new cultivation elsewhere. Official estimates coca cultivation in Peru for 2005 have yet to be released, but the State Department’s own reporting suggests that cultivation in Peru has increased. "The stable cultivation in 2004 throws into doubt US officials’ predictions of a major impact on US drug prices and purity," commented John Walsh, WOLA Senior Associate for Drug Policy. President Álvaro Uribe has however vowed to press ahead with U.S.-financed fumigation of coca crops. [5] http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4907643,00.html

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