Cocaine and Crack

Cocaine (Charlie)	Sniffing (snorting): Cocaine is chopped very finely with a razor blade, and arranged in lines on a smooth surface. The lines are sniffed through a rolled-up banknote.
Paper wrap	Smoking: Crack is smoked on foil, in a pipe or glass tube. The rocks are heated until they evaporate and the resulting smoke is inhaled.
Injecting: Cocaine is mixed with water and injected directly into a vein.

WHAT IS COCAINE?

• Cocaine is a drug made from the coca plant.
• It is a stimulant, like amphetamine (speed), though it is much shorter acting.
• It produces sensations of alertness, confidence and well being.
• Cocaine can also lead to compulsive use or dependence.
• Cocaine costs £25 for half a gram.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COCAINE AND CRACK?

• Cocaine hydrochloride is a white powder that can be sniffed or injected.
• Crack cocaine is cocaine hydrochloride that has been chemically altered to form crystals that can be smoked.

HOW IS COCAINE USED?

• Sniffing is the safest method of using cocaine. It comes on gradually and last longer than with other methods. It can damage the nose.
• Smoking crack is more dangerous than sniffing, but is very short acting and may produce extremely compulsive behaviour and can damage the lungs.
• Injecting cocaine is also very risky.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF INJECTING?

• The dose reaches the brain almost immediately, increasing the possibility of overdose or seizure.
• Impurities are introduced directly into the bloodstream. This can cause septicaemia or other infections.
• Repeated injections cause damage to the veins, thrombosis and abscesses.
• Sharing syringes can cause hepatitis and HIV infection.
• Clean injecting equipment is available from some chemists or needle exchange schemes.

WHAT ARE THE DRAWBACKS ASSOCIATED WITH CRACK AND COCAINE USE?

• Cocaine and crack are very short acting.
• This can lead the user to keep chasing the initial `rush'.
• Cocaine or crack produces tolerance - users need to keep taking larger amounts to get the same effect.
• High doses can cause overdose, regardless of how the drug is taken.
• Continued use can lead to paranoia, hallucinations and psychosis (loss of contact with reality).
• Cocaine and crack use may become compulsive.

CRACK AND COCAINE ARE AGAINST THE LAW

• Possessing crack or cocaine is punishable by up to 7 years imprisonment and unlimited fine.
• Supplying crack or cocaine (including giving some to a friend) is punishable by up to life imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
• cocaine can be detected in the urine for up to 3 days.