Cocaine

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is an expensive white powder known as coke, charlie, snow or C. It can be snorted, injected or smoked. In its smoke-able form it is called ‘crack’. See Crack

Facts and figures

• Cocaine is a Class A drug.

What cocaine does

• It acts as a powerful stimulant, creating a short-term buzz (which lasts around 30 minutes).
• The user gets an immediate feeling of confidence, brightness and well-being but once the buzz is over, they often crave more in order to delay the ‘comedown’ feelings of tiredness and a low mood.
• Feelings of restlessness, confusion and even paranoia may result from large or frequent doses taken over a short period of time.

Dangers and health risks

• The health risks associated with cocaine use are serious: besides the permanent damage to the inside of the nose caused by snorting ‘lines’, heavy use can cause convulsions and may lead to heart problems. Overdosing can be fatal.
• A cocaine habit is hard to control.