Cocaine has been used for well over one hundred years, but not always in an illegal capacity.  It was originally used as a local anesthetic in surgery.  The early 1900's gave way to the nation's first wave of heavy usage, and we now know it as a highly addictive substance.  It is popular among teenagers and young adults, especially men, but is certainly not limited to any specific age class.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Justice,  www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/cocaine.htm*

Cocaine alkaloid is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant in a fairly long chemical process.  This process yields a white paste, which is then dissolved in ether or acetone and treated with hydrochloric acid.  After precipitation, the newly formed powder is cocaine hydrochloride, the most common form of cocaine.  This powder is usually inhaled, or snorted.  "Crack," another form, is processed from cocaine hydrochloride, using ammonia or baking soda.  With water and heat, this process removes the hydrochloride, forming small "rocks" suitable for smoking.  Other methods of intake include freebies smoking and injecting.  The effects of using include anxiety, restlessness, loss of appetite, and increased stamina (NIDA, 2001).  The most common long-term effect of cocaine abuse is myocardial infarction, or heart attack.  Other problems with the heart have also been associated with cocaine as well.
The chemical structure of cocaine (C17H21NO4)
Courtesy www.signet-uk.com
 
 
 
 

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Crack and the Heart Other Risks and Interesting Facts

*Permission for use of image pending

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© Copyright 2000 Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28036. Send comments, questions, and suggestions to: joferguson@davidson.edu