Slang: A word on cocaine!
Cocaine ("coke," "toot," "snow," "blow," "snort") is a white powder that comes from the coca leaf. It was once used by doctors as a local anesthetic. But now it is rarely used for medical purposes!
Cocaine speeds up the mind and body causing:
Increased heart rate and breathing
Rise in body temperature and blood pressure
Nose damages if snorted
Dilated pupils
Increased perspiration
Lung damage if smoked
Even a "first snort" can uncover unknown allergies or aggravate hidden heart defects, leading to sudden death!
Cocaine also causes BIG changes in emotions!
1st- short term intense pleasure followed by and intense CRASH (depressed or anxious feelings) causing users who want to feel good again to take more of the drug...This can start the cycle of addiction.
And for those who get addicted, cocaine can become more important than friends, family...even food!
Ways people take cocaine
Snorting- the most common way. Takes effect within 3 minutes
Injecting- cocaine is dissolved in water and injected. Takes effect within 20 seconds.
Smoking- the fastest way to get cocaine to the brain. In freebase, paste, or rock form, or when added to marijuana or tobacco (and called "coolies" or "woolahs"), the drug can take effect within 10 seconds!