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Cocaine

            Cocaine, especially crack cocaine, became prevalent in the mid-1980s and received massive media attention due in part to sudden deaths resulting from the use of cocaine. Cocaine powder is derived from coca paste, which is in turn derived from the leaves of the coca plant. Crack cocaine is made by taking cocaine powder and cooking it with baking soda and water until it forms a hard substance. These "rocks" can then be broken into pieces and sold in small quantities. Each gram of powder produces approximately .89 grams of crack. Crack was portrayed as a violence inducing, highly addictive drug mostly used in inner city areas. Due in part to the media's strong coverage, congress passed two mandatory minimum sentencing laws concerning crack cocaine. These laws that give harsher penalties to users of crack cocaine than to users of powder cocaine are extremely unfair.
             Defendants convicted of selling 500 grams of powder cocaine or five grams of crack cocaine receive five-year sentences. For five kilos of powder cocaine and 50 grams of crack, the penalty is 10 years. Thus there is a 100:1 ratio. These numbers are ridiculous, because of how easy and cheap it is to create crack. The sentences should not be that much different even if the effects of crack cocaine are more severe than powder cocaine.
             The psychotropic and physiological effects of all types of cocaine are the same, but the intensity and duration of the high differ according to the different forms of cocaine. Crack is always smoked and gives a fast, intense high. Powder cocaine is usually snorted, which gives a slower and less intense high. Some supporters of the law believe that crack is more likely to be abused because the high is short, which causes users to desire more of the drug. But when powder cocaine is injected it produces a fast, intense high similar to crack. This shows that the user can get the same reaction with either kind of cocaine.


Essays Related to Cocaine

1. Crack Cocaine Prisoners Released Early by Fair Sentencing Law

... . On a unanimous vote, "unfairly long sentences" for crack offenders, who are mostly African Americans, were reduced to be more compatible with sentences given to powder-cocaine offenders, who are often white and sometimes affluent (Serrano). Last year, Congress voted to lower the sentences given to crack-related crimes such as possession and trafficking. Many people believed ... to those who are already in prison (Serrano). Patti Saris, the head of the commission, said the Fair Sentencing Act is a result of Congress "recognizing the fundamental unfairness of federal cocaine-sentencing ...

  • Word Count: 790
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Has Bibliography
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2. The Effects of Prenatal Development and Cocaine

... sensory processing which is determine by the cardiovascular and cortisol level, commencing in the initial stage of the neonate life. Currently studies investigating regulatory processes amongst cocaine exposed infants, concentrated on their behavioral pattern during waking and sleeping periods. As a result studies have stated regulatory processes during the neonates early stage of ... difficulties, also conditions of psychological operations is another cause associated to non optimal mother infant synergy. Research data have indicated that physiological effects of prenatal cocaine expos...

  • Word Count: 2711
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3. Crack Cocaine

... located in the center of the brain.(NIDA) Once the brain is stimulated it will output feelings of pleasure. Scientists have discovered that when cocaine effects appear for a short term, it will increase the energy, decrease your appetite, mental alertness will occur, it increases heart rate and ... patch and a time-released pill, and need to decide which one would be the best solution for the consumer.(Gendle 17) For a lot of cocaine addictive consumers that are getting treatment on drug addiction is a process that takes a lot of time effort and self-discipline. Most treatments strategi...

  • Word Count: 1279
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Cocaine addiction

... users are regular smokers (Marsden, J. 1997). Ecstasy and marijuana come after smoking as asecond step. Then the human metabolism wants more and more so addicts start to use heroin and cocaine.(Eiseman, S.,,,,,,,,). "People may use drugs when they live a family whose relationships are filled with stress, phsical and psycological abuse , or lack of inerest, socially feel different fro others ... to the lungs, to the left side of the heart and up to the brain, completing its journey in 30-60 seconds. (Washton,A. ,,,,,,,,,) There are enormous physical effects associated with cocaine use. T...

  • Word Count: 1164
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5. Cocaine

... found in the leaves of the coca plant. Coca has been grown and cultivated by the South American peoples for over a thousand years. The Incas and other Native Americans ingested cocaine by chewing coca leaves or making them into tea. The Native Americans of the Andes used coca to treat many medical problems including: muscle pains, rheumatism, asthma, stomach ulcers, and ... increase, the severity of the depression can increase proportionally. Thus, causing a sense of hopelessness after trying to stop their drug use, which may lead to suicide. Cocaine affects the family of the user by ca...

  • Word Count: 923
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Cocaine and the Human Body

... being able to treat all kinds of medical problems including asthma, venereal diseases, toothaches and headaches. It wasn't until the 1880's that pure cocaine was used as an anesthetic for eye, nose, and throat surgeries. It worked well because of its ability to constrict blood vessels and decrease ... lots of physical symptoms such as blurred vision, nausea, chest pain, fever, and even falling into a comatose state." (Barter 92) Not only does cocaine effect your physically and emotionally, it hurts you very badly financially. People who have addictions will do anything and sell anything...

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7. Cocaine

... was developed in 18886 by John Pemberton, this drink contained cocaine and caffeine, but in 1906 the cocaine was removed from this drink. In the Harrison Narcotic Act in 1914 cocaine was made illegal. Later in 1985 crack cocaine was developed and became a major drug problem. Short term affects of cocaine Short term affect of cocaine is that you feel a rush of pleasure and well-being ... of this an addiction starts. Other symptoms are dilated pupils, mental alertness, temper increase and energy increase, a loss of appetite, faster heart rate and constricted vessels. Long term affect of c...

  • Word Count: 454
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  • Grade Level: High School

8. Cocaine

... most dangerous drug to use when pregnant. It can affect the mother and unborn child in many different ways. In the early stage of pregnancy the use of cocaine can cause a miscarriage. When cocaine is used during the later stage of pregnancy it can cause premature labor. It also may cause an unborn baby to die or to have a stroke, which can ... result in irreversible brain damage. Studies show that women who use cocaine during pregnancy are at least twice as likely as other women to have a premature baby. Cocaine cuts the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the baby. When the baby is born it...

  • Word Count: 313
  • Approx Pages: 1
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Cocaine and Crack

... , hunger and sometimes for refreshment. Crack is smokable. It usually appears as off-white chunks, chips or rocks. It is probable that cocaine dealers, seeking a better market for an existing of the drug, developed the process to expand their user opportunities, since this method allows small ... the user can get into some kind of depression, sometimes the users feel jumpy, fearful, and anxious. Some of the consequences of taking crack and cocaine include: Problems in the blood vessels, including heart attack, heart failure and irregular heart beat. Mantel complications, including serious...

  • Word Count: 2633
  • Approx Pages: 11
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