History of Cocaine

Cocaine in its various forms is derived from the coca plant which is native to the high mountain ranges of South America. The coca leaves were used by natives of this region and acted upon the user as a stimulant. The stimulating effects of the drug increase breathing which increases oxygen intake. This afforded native laborers of the region the stamina to perform their duties in the thin air at high altitudes. In time, science figured out how to maximize the strength and effect of the drug contained in the coca leaves.

Through chemically synthesizing the coca leaves the white crystal powder we have come to know as cocaine was created. As time passed newer methods to magnify the euphoric effects of the drug were invented which has led us to the most potent and addictive form of the drug, crack.

Crack cocaine is the most popularly used version of cocaine today. Smoking cocaine rocks began in the late 1970's. Rocking-up cocaine powder and smoking it was originally the method developed so distributors of cocaine could test the purity of the drug before it was purchased from the manufacturers. Crack has destroyed millions of lives since it was first introduced to the streets of America. Crack is a relatively new drug on the scene compared to drugs like opium or heroin; nonetheless, it has been part of our history and culture for nearly 150 years.

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More About Cocaine:

• What is cocaine?
• What is the scope of cocaine use in the United States?
• How is cocaine used?
• How does cocaine produce its effects?
• What are the short-term effects of cocaine use?
• What are the long-term effects of cocaine use?
• What are the medical complications of cocaine abuse?
• Why would anyone become addicted to cocaine?
• Is cocaine addiction serious?
• Are there any other problems that can occur from crack or cocaine addiction?
• What is crack?
• History of Cocaine
• Cocaine's Role in American History
• Cocaine Addiction Index

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