Crack Cocaine Research Paper

Crack is the smokable form of cocaine, and can only be taken into the body by smoking it. Smoking crack cocaine introduces it into the system faster than other methods (Zonderman and Shader, 660. To smoke it, the crystalline chips are either put into a glass pipe and smoked, or crushed and smoked in a marijuana joint. The chips change to smoke when heated, which is inhaled, drawn into the lungs, and then diffused rapidly into the bloodstream (Edwards, 77). The little sacs of the lungs are lined with fatty tissue that readily absorbs the fat soluble crack (Mickey, 2). Circulating blood transports the dissolved cocaine to the brain where it has immediate effect (Edwards, 77). Crack reaches the brain within seven seconds (Mickey, 2). The effect, called a rush, is caused by the almost pure cocaine's assault on the brain and central nervous system. The central nervous system responds by involuntary movement of the muscles, increased body temperature, and an overstimulation of the pleasure centers of the brain. The high

The short term effects of the crack includes: higher breathing rate, elevated blood pressure, soaring heart rate, compressed blood vessels, lack of appetite, dilated pupils, extreme euphoria for both casual and heavy users. The long term effects are the following: depression, violent, fearful performances, hallucinations, bad temper, psychosis, heart attack/stroke, sterility (for both men and women), brain convulsion, respiratory malfunction and even death for heavy users! Since crack cocaine is exceedingly addictive, addicts can easily build up tolerance and become addicted in a short time by smoking it constantly. There are many ways to take crack cocaine. Users can smoke through a hand pipe or a water pipe, snort, infuse through vein, or they can combine crack with marijuana, heroin etc (University Of Maryland). While taking crack, users face plenty of risks like: coughing, respiratory bleeding, out of breath, paranoia, lung trauma and many more (“Crack cocaine facts”). Dealers shipped crack cocaine from the Bahamas and the Caribbean to Miami, where the dealers would sell it for lower incomes (“A Complete History of Crack Cocaine”). Anyone can be addicted to crack cocaine – from adults to teens. Crack cocaine is most rampant in urban regions but addicts from rural areas can also be seen. Crack is highly addictive because a user trying for the first time becomes addicted to it and he uses it many times throughout the day. A single dosage is inexpensive but a crack

Cocaine is a naturally occurring substance deriving from the Erythroxylum coca plant. The coca plant is autogenous to Indonesia, South America, Mexico and the West Indies. Historically, many cultures have utilized coca leaves for religious and ceremonial applications. Cocaine itself remains prevalent in literary and artist works of many cultures and continues to be represented in archeological finds around the world. In South America the leaves were often chewed to help the indigenous tribes overcome hunger. To many other civilizations it was considered a sacred gift from the gods. Cocaine was often used as local anesthetic for a plethora of ailments.

In the summer of 1985, New York City was introduced to the drug crack. The ensuing seventeen years have culminated into some of the most turbulent, and crime ridden years in the history of New York City. Crack is the street name for a form of cocaine introduced in the mid-1980s. Crack is smoked, rather then sniffed through the nose, or injected, which are all other ways to use cocaine. Users of the drug inhale the vapors that are given off when the crack is heated (Berger pg.20). Crack cannot burn, and in order to give off the drugs vapors it must be heated to a very high temperature. After the crack has been heated the user will proceed to inhale the vapors. The drug will then pass

Crack cocaine has a shorter high, yet it is at an increased intensity, almost immediately after being smoked unlike cocaine. Crack is also considered a poor man’s drug while cocaine is usually considered to be associated with those of a upper class society.

Pretty soon they’ll find themselves having to use crack just to feel “normal” again. This is the physical dependency stage. It occurs when the user has built up such a high tolerance from frequent usage, that their body basically forgets what is normal so they have to maintain a continuum of the drug to ward of the withdraw effects. As a result of usage, anxiety and depression can last for weeks. Attempts to stop using the drugs can fail simply because the resulting depression can be overwhelming, causing the addict to use more cocaine in an attempt to overcome his depression. This is the point in which you get the more stereotypical crack addict. They begin to steal from their family and friends, miss work/school, prostitute, and do just about anything they can to get the money to support their habit. They begin to short or try to get over on the person who is selling them drugs, which can result in violence. Some even become drug dealers themselves so that they can pay for the drugs that they use.

Crack and powder cocaine is a controversial topic. There have been racial disparities in drug enforcement between Crack and powder cocaine. Cocaine is derived from the opium gather naturally from the poppy plant while crack is the result of a chemical reaction been cocaine, water and a strong base. Under the controlled substances act both are classified as schedule II meaning they both have a high potential for abuse which can cause a use to be dependent both physically and psychologically.

Methamphetamine or Meth is defined as a synthetic drug with more rapid and lasting effects than amphetamine, used illegally as a stimulant and as a prescription drug to treat narcolepsy and maintain blood pressure. Methamphetamine is also known as Ice, Glass and Crystal. On the streets Methamphermine have many different names which includes: Speed, Ice, Chalk, Crank, Croak, Tweak, Uppers, Black Beauties, Glass, Bikers Coffee, Methlies Quick, Poor Man’s Cocaine, Chicken Feed, Shabu, Crystal Meth, Stove Top, Trash, Go-Fast, Yaba, Yellow Bam, and Tina. Meth is an odorless, white crystalline powder with a bitter taste. Its soluble in liquid and can be injected, snorted, ingested, or smoked. It is a central nervous system stimulant drug that increases

Methamphetamine was created in Japan in 1919. It became widely used in World War 2. Kamikaze pilots would get high doses before their missions. Meth kept soldiers awake and focused. People started using in it the U.S. in the 1950’s as a diet drug. Meth was also known as the “soccer mom drug” because people could get their work done quickly and lose weight at the same time. Many people started taking the drug in high doses and began abusing the drug in the 1960’s. Methamphetamine became illegal in the 1970’s.

In fact, the Federal Sentencing Guidelines state that a given amount of crack as equivalent to 100 times the amount of powered cocaine. According to the reading, Crack and Cocaine Introductory Material; it comes down to a minimum 5-year sentence for 500 grams of powder cocaine as to crack cocaine it is a 10-year minimum sentence for 50 grams of crack. Although the book stated that the media relates the usage of crack to mostly African American, I have learned through CRJU 385 by Dr. Brown’s lectures that, it’s a myth; in reality White people are the heavy crack users. Since the mid 1980’s crack has been labeled as the most addictive and destructive drug in existence. Crack was used by people who had less money, as to powder cocaine is used by people who have more money, rich man’s drug. “Interesting to say cracks highs are followed by intense lows that may drive user to desperately seek another hit”, (Morgan and Zimmer, 1997). The book stated that the characterization of crack as the “fast food of the drug market” is consistent with reports about the rate at which it is used. This reminds me of Mc Donald’s, just picturing the rush of money that they make every day, I know it is over exaggerated but I can picture it both. In the reading Refining Rock; Cocaine can be bought in rock form and then smoked. It can also be converted from powder into rock then smoked. It is faster to use when it is in rock form. Since I am majoring in Criminal Justice, I was curious to learn the connection between cocaine and crime. I learned that it has six types of use: snorting, intravenous use, crack smoking, freebasing, coca paste smoking, and new form of cocaine. Most crime was drug dealing, which made the most sense. Other crimes included: acts of violence, grand theft, petty theft, and prostitution. As stated earlier, alcoholism was an impact on my family. During the course I

Since the individual is not experiencing any sickness, pain, or other outward physical discomfort I would suggest that this individual may have been consuming cocaine, marijuana, or is an alcoholic.

Cornstarch, crushed or powdered vitamin substances, sugar, and flour are often mixed with cocaine to make the drug less strong. This is called "cutting" the drug. Crack cocaine looks like small (sometimes pink) rocks. COCAINE COMES FROM: the leaves of the South American coca plant, which grows in Bolivia, Peru, and Colombia. The leaf contains about 2% cocaine, which is removed by using a chemical process. Because cocaine is very expensive, its pure form is rarely found on the street. COCAINE USE: Cocaine can be injected, smoked, sniffed, or snorted. Persons who share needles to inject cocaine run the risk of getting AIDS. When this drug, or any drug, is smoked or injected, it gets to the brain very quickly, and sometimes the brain can't handle it. When people use cocaine, they are going for the "rush"--that feeling of being carefree and powerful. The overall effects of the drug can last about two hours. Cocaine, Mental and Physical Effects like Angry, hostile, and anxious feelings. Confusion. Mental illness that looks like schizophrenia (paranoid feelings, picking at

Cocaine can be identified as a white powder which can then be snorted up a person’s nose, an alternative method to taking is to inject directly into the blood stream. Crack Cocaine comes about by chemically altering the Cocaine powder to form hard crystals, which can be known as ‘rocks’.

Cocaine is an addictive drug extracted from coca. Cocaine appears in two state of being, powder cocaine and crack. Powder cocaine is a white powder made from the leaf of the coca plant. Street dealers’ generally commix cocaine with other substances that include cornstarch, talcum powder, or sugar. They also mix cocaine with active drugs that can be found in local anesthesia. Crack occurs in the form of minuscule white rocks that are smokeable. It obtains its name from the cracking sound that rocks make when it is heated. “Cocaine is generally

The drug known as cocaine refers to the powder substance extracted from coca leaves. Cocaine is often diluted with fillers or adulterants like talcum powder, sugar, caffeine, lidocaine, or even amphetamines to increase the amount of product available for distributors and dealers to sell. This drug is highly addictive, and many fall quickly into abuse patterns; eventually developing an addiction problem. Cocaine users come from all walks of life and occupations; ranging from the wealthiest persons in the world to individuals living in poverty.