What is cocaine and crack?
Cocaine is a stimulant-type drug. Cocaine is a white powder derived from the leaf of the coca plant that grows up in the mountains of South America.
Crack named for its 'crackle' sound when heated is a form of cocaine. Crack has been treated with chemicals to allow it to be more easily smoked.
What does cocaine and crack look like?
Cocaine comes as a white powder. Cocaine is expensive so may be mixed with anything else that is white and powdery, so that the drug dealers can make a bigger profit.
Crack (or rock cocaine) comes in the form of small white crystals or rocks about the size of raisins.
How is cocaine and crack taken?
Cocaine may be snorted, injected or smoked.
Crack is usually smoked in a pipe. Home made pipes are likely to be found at street level made from soft drink cans or aluminium foil.
What are the immediate effects of taking cocaine and crack?
Cocaine will give you a confidence buzz for about 30 minutes, leaving you craving more. Cocaine and crack both produce feelings of well-being, alertness, reduced appetite and physical strength.
If cocaine is injected the effects come on within minutes, starting with a very intense rush. If smoked as crack the buzz comes on in seconds and is very intense but only last a few minutes, which makes it more addictive.
What are the long-term effects of taking cocaine and crack?
Cocaine and crack are addictive and once you start it can be very hard to stop. You won't get withdrawal symptoms when you stop but, it will produce a strong psychological dependence, which means it's on your mind all the time.
What class drug is cocaine and crack?
Cocaine is a class A drug and if you are caught in possession with the intent to supply, you could face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.