COCAINE

COCAINE Characteristics

• Very fine in texture
• Has a "high" that lasts up to 15-30 minutes
• Is very expensive per dose
• Is sniffed up the nose;may be rubbed on gums or other tissues
• Takes 15-30 minutes to have an effect
• Often mixed with other drugs to make it more toxic

SHORT TERM HEALTH EFFECTS

• Intense depression
• Edginess
• Craving for more of the drug
• High heart rate
• Muscle spasms
• Paranoid, angry, hostile
• All these can happen even if they aren't high

LONG TERM HEALTH EFFECTS

• Liver, kidney, lung damage
• Severe tooth decay
• Severe depression
• Tolerance and addiction
• High blood pressure, leading to heart attacks, strokes, and death
• Infectious diseases and abscesses if injected

It can effect the community by the person who is taking cocaine can get aggressive and cause injuries. They can also get depressed and not want to talk to anyone in there family and just want to be alone all the time.

WHY INDIVIDUALS TAKE COCAINE

• To escape or relax
• To fit in
• To experiment
• To relieve boredom
• To seem grown up