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.

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.