Changes

Cocaine is a [[Schedule II]] drug in the United States. Made from the extract of the coca plant, it is usually consumed as a white powder that is insufflated (snorted) or injected, though it can be consumed orally or smoked. The effects vary and include feelings of euphoria, increased sexual desire, decreased appetite, paranoia, violent behavior, negative physiological effects such as kidney failure, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, nausea, and vomiting.

Cocaine is a [[Schedule II]] drug in the United States. It is made from the extract of the coca plant. The chemical formula of cocaine is C₁₇H₂₁NO₄<ref>http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?sid=14717642</ref><ref>http://dict.die.net/c17h21no4/</ref><ref> http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=7th&navby=case&no=951747</ref>.

 

Cocaine is usually consumed as a white powder that is insufflated (snorted) or injected directly into the blood stream, though it can be consumed orally or smoked. The effects on individuals vary and include:

* feelings of euphoria

* increased sexual desire

* loss of appetite<ref name="bbc">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/351472.stm#c BBC News | Health | Drugs # Cocaine]</ref>

* paranoia, delusion, and violent behavior<ref name="brown">[http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/atod/od_cocaine.htm Cocaine - Brown University Health and Education]</ref>

* kidney failure<ref>[http://ndt.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/15/3/299 Cocaine use and kidney damage -- van der Woude 15 (3): 299 -- Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation]</ref>

* high blood pressure

* increased heart rate, irregular heart beat, and increased risk of heart attack<ref>[http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/177_05_020902/vas10632_fm.html eMJA: Cocaine use and cardiovascular complications]</ref>

* severe vomiting or diarrhoea

 

In addition some people who are very sensitive to the drug (and will not realise it), may die after a single dose.<ref name="bbc" /> Cocaine abuse during pregnancy has many ill effects. It can cause considerable damage to the organs of the developing foetus, and lead to birth defects, premature detachment of the placenta, premature births, low birthweight babies, nutrition deficiencies, and babies born already addicted to the drug.<ref name="bbc" /><ref>[http://www.nysccc.org/cocaine.html Cocaine Abuse During Pregnancy]</ref><ref>[http://www.drugpolicy.org/library/research/cocaine.cfm Drug Policy Alliance: Cocaine & Pregnancy]</ref>.

 

[[Category:Illegal substances]]

[[Category:Illegal substances]]