User talk:Quinn flaks

Quinn Flaks February 28, 2007 Flaks 1 Cocaine is a drug that has been studied for a long time. As a result of the years studying cocaine, scientists know much about it. However, what is cocaine? What are its affects? How can people help a cocaine abuser? These are some questions that may trouble a person with an average knowledge of cocaine abuse. Cocaine is a stimulant, a chemical salt extracted from the leaves of the coca bush (AIMS p.1). Cocaine can be found in Australia, on the Andes mountain range, and in many other places around the world. There are three main ways to use cocaine, and each way has a different consequence. Injection into the blood stream, snorting or sniffing cocaine, and cocaine can be smoked. Cocaine is made different ways depending on its use. The pure form of cocaine before it is distributed for use is made from the leaves of the coca plant, and then mixed with powders like cornstarch, sugar, and flour. What users buy on the street is usually 30-50 percent pure cocaine, the other percent, is the powders added to cocaine (Bozza p.1). Crack cocaine (the cocaine that can be smoked) is brown and crystallized. Crack cocaine is mixed with baking soda, or ammonia. It is made by heating up the crack “rocks” until they turn to smoke and

Flaks 2 the smoke is inhaled. The high achieved is very intense and quick. Crack cocaine is called crack, because of the crackling sound it makes when it heats up. Cocaine is a narcotic ( i.e. illegal drug), that could get users arrested. People could get arrested if they; sell cocaine, possession of it, or if they have intent to sell. When these laws are broken, the drug dealer or user could be required to pay a fine. If the case is severe enough, they could go to prison. Abusing cocaine can make people feel many different ways because cocaine stimulates the nervous system. Some of the feelings include feeling in charge, sad, aware, good, excited, energetic, or competitive (Cocaine p.1). Chewing on cocaine leaves does not get a person high, but it does make them feel less hungry. The Andean Indians chewed on cocaine leaves for thousands of years. Cocaine’s effect may vary depending on different factors; where the user takes it, how much the user weighs, how tall the user is, what mood the user is in, and how much the user takes. There are many negative effects from abusing cocaine. For example, if a person snorts cocaine they may experience nosebleeds. If they inject it, and the needle they use is “dirty”, they could get infections like hepatitis, and HIV. If people smoke cocaine, it gets them high very quickly, but it causes their teeth to rot and their lips to blister. Cocaine can make people want to do things they would not want to do if they were not high on cocaine. For example, if someone

Flaks 3 is high on cocaine they may want to have sex more than usual, and cocaine also makes people want to take more risks than they usually would. Cocaine affects different body parts. It affects the heart, the eyes, and many other body parts. Cocaine can make the user’s blood pressure go up and make the heart beat faster. Cocaine can make the abuser’s vision go fuzzy, and make the eyes red and the pupils dilate. It can also change the body, inside and out. Meaning it can kill a mother’s unborn baby. Another danger of pregnant mothers using cocaine is that it travels through the umbilical cord and get the baby addicted to crack before it is born. These are called “crack babies” Over dosing on cocaine is very serious. If a person over doses, the most horrible thing that could happen is they could die. An over dose occurs when an abuser takes too much cocaine in any form and they have a severe physical reaction. The person over dosing could have a cardiac arrest due to their heart rate going too high. Many people around the world are using cocaine, and there are ways to help those in danger. The first step to helping a loved one is acknowledging. If a person thinks that they know a cocaine abuser, then they should look for major symptoms. These symptoms include; constant runny nose, red eyes, lack of hunger, sloppy appearance, constantly in need of money, sleepy, low or failing grades, not interested in hobby, not interested in friends. These are symptoms, but not everyone who has these traits is a cocaine abuser, make sure the person

Flaks 4 they think is on cocaine is on it, before they consult somebody. The second step, is telling them to get help. If they do not want to get help then; talk to them, tell them you care, ask them to quit, contact adult, call professional, give them the phone number of professionals. If there scared of treatment, make sure they know that treatment includes counseling, acupuncture, anti-depressants, and making sure it does not happen again. If the person needs help with withdraw, contact the local medical center for help. Other places you can get help are; www.acde.org, 1-800-729-6686, www.health.org, 1-800-662-4357, or www.nida.nin.gov (Bozza p.3). No matter what people may think, there is always someone who cares, and a place that is ready to help! There are still many questions about cocaine left unanswered, but we can still always teach a dog a new trick. In conclusion, coke, snow, blow, toot, nose candy, are all nicknames for cocaine, but no matter what you call it, it is still a deadly substance. There are still many questions about cocaine left unanswered, but there are still some “dogs” that we can teach a new trick! Quinn flaks (talk) 02:38, 29 November 2007 (UTC)