Abstract
This paper discusses the genesis of cocaine. The paper begins by examining the demographic origin of cocaine. Next the paper looks at the making and production of cocaine. The paper then examines the short- and long-term effects of cocaine, including deaths associated with the use of cocaine. The paper also mentions street terms for cocaine. The paper concludes with a discussion of the danger cocaine imposes on society.

From the Paper
"The Office of the National Drug Control Policy reports that about million Americans have tried cocaine at least once in their lifetimes, which is roughly around ..."

Tags:cocaine, deaths

Abstract
This paper discusses how, historically, punishments for convicted users and sellers of the drugs cocaine and crack have differed. Penalties are more severe for those individuals who use crack, although it is merely the solid form of essentially the same drug. These disparate penalties may result from several things. The paper further discusses how the most prevalent of these causes seems to be that of race. The powdered form, cocaine, is more popular among Caucasians. In addition, cocaine appears to be the drug of choice for the middle-class and above. The dangers associated with either cocaine or crack seem to differ greatly.

Tags:crack, cocaine, sentencing

Abstract
The paper discusses the differences between crack and powder cocaine, and the history of the skewed legislative sentencing policy that is essentially a product of preconceived notions of crack cocaine. The paper also talks about what demographics are getting hit hardest in this controversial topic.

From the Paper
"Since the mid 1980's, Crack cocaine offenders sentenced by the federal court system are punished and sentenced harder than powder cocaine users, despite the fact that both powder and crack cocaine have similar harmful natures, just are used by different demographics. This bias is based on old data and relates to race, as black, low-income crack possessors are more often found with crack than white, Latino or other offenders. Congressional representatives and legislators are working hard to eradicate the 1 to 100 ratio, a ratio that essentially treats one gram of crack cocaine and one hundred grams of powder cocaine as the same offense."

Tags:crack cocaine, powder cocaine, congress

Abstract
This paper looks at the history of cocaine, the pharmacokinetics of cocaine, its mechanisms of action, the neural pathways and systems it affects, the behavioral effects of cocaine, and recent research on the drug.

From the Paper
"Cocaine is an alkaloid derived from the leaves of the South American shrub, Erythroxylon coca, and is a powerful psychostimulant. The coca leaf was officially reserved for Incan royalty in Pre-Columbian times and was used for mystical religious, social, nutritional and medicinal purposes. The Coqueros exploited the stimulant properties of coca to ward off fatigue and hunger, enhance duration and promote a sense of well-being. The Spanish outlawed the use of coca because they considered it an agent of the Devil. Unfortunately, the invaders..."

Tags:cocaine, addiction, effects

Abstract
Addiction to substance is characterized by a "dependence" on "mood altering" drugs ("Addiction", 2008). Those that are addicted to substances, such as heroin and/or cocaine, find that they have a constant need for the drug and that it becomes the central focus of their lives. As the addiction progresses the individual often begins to develop illnesses or diseases that are associated with the drug use, sometimes causing fatal outcomes. Because these substances are "mood altering" they also have a tendency to change the person's personality, interaction with others and complete lifestyle. Consequently, their relationships with family and friends changes, as does their performance at school or work. Substance abuse addicts generally spend their entire lives either concentrating on obtaining more drugs or attempting to be clean from the damaging effects of addiction. It is for these reasons that seeking to legalize heroin and cocaine in society is a ludicrous action, because doing so suggests to the children of today that substance abuse is an acceptable inclusion in life and that self-destructive behavior is not a concern within the social order.

From the Paper
Legalizing Cocaine and Heroin Addiction to substance is characterized by a "dependence" on "mood altering" drugs ("Addiction", 2008). Those that are addicted to substances, such as heroin and/or cocaine, find that they have a constant need for the drug and that it becomes the central focus of their lives. As the addiction progresses the individual often begins to develop illnesses or diseases that are associated with the drug use, sometimes causing fatal outcomes. Because these substances are "mood altering" they also have a tendency to change the person's personality, interaction with others and complete lifestyle. Consequently, their relationships with family and

Tags:cocaine, heroin, legal

Abstract
This paper looks at the mechanisms of action of cocaine and amphetamines, and explores the sites of action in the brain. Additionally, the paper describes methamphetamine and compares it to amphetamine. The paper also looks at why cocaine is so addictive, and examines changes in the brain associated with use of these two drugs.

From the Paper
"Cocaine hydrochloride is a crystalline salt, the form usually sniffed or injected. (Jones) Cocaine base crack is generally smoked because the base is more volatile and vaporizes at a lower temperature, whereas cocaine hydrochloride decomposes before it volatilizes when heated. Cocaine hydrochloride is a weak base with a pKa of and in its basic form, in the bloodstream or in smoke, rapidly and efficiently crosses cell membranes. When it reaches the small airways and alveoli of the lung if smoked, it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream."

Tags:cocaine, amphetamines, addiction

Abstract
This paper takes a look at cocaine abuse and how it effects the individual. The author looks at what cocaine is composed of, its short-term and long- term effects and how it effects the brain.

From the Paper
"Although it is known that cocaine became popular on the street, especially in big cities of the United States in the1970s and 1980s, it has a fairly long history. In fact, cocoa leaves (raw ingredient for cocaine production) have been used for more than five thousand years as a mild stimulant by some South American tribes. In the middle of the 19th century, cocaine was first extracted from cocoa leaves in South America. In the U. S., it was legal and widely used as an ingredient in medicines. Cocaine was introduced as an ingredient of Coca-Cola in 1888, though it was removed and replace with another stimulant, caffeine, in 1903. Today, cocaine is completely illegal in the U.S. except for medical uses such as a local anesthetic."

Tags:12, abuse, addiction, alcohol, behavioral, brain, chemical, cocaine, crack, dopamine, group, heroin, illegal, marijuana, neurotransmitter, recovery, relapse, speedball, step, substance, therapy, treatment

Abstract
The introduction of highly addictive crack cocaine in the 1980s caused widespread devastation in inner city communities. Under a tough 1986 crack law, vast numbers of black males are serving long prison sentences, yet crack sales and crack addiction have not decreased. Despite the failure of the War on Drugs to reduce drug use or crime in inner city neighborhoods, protests that the crack law targets blacks for prosecution and long prison sentences, and evidence that the CIA was involved in introducing crack cocaine into inner city neighborhoods, the government has refused to change its tactics and take measures to actually help the black community recover from the crack epidemic.

Tags:black, crack, cocaine

Abstract
The following paper presents identifying data regarding a case example of a patient who is dependent on cocaine. The life, education, mental and physical health, relational and sexual life, employment and drug abuse behaviors of the patient are presented. This is followed by a DSM IV R diagnosis and a treatment plan with resources from the community.

From the Paper
"The following presents identifying data regarding a case example of a patient who is dependent on cocaine. The patient's life from birth through time culminating with a treatment plan and outcome is presented. Thus the life with family and social life, education and employment, mental and physical health, relational and sexual life and drug abuse behaviors of the patient are presented. This is followed by a DSM IV R diagnosis and a treatment plan with resources from the community. The client is..."

Tags:Cocaine, patient, drug abuse, DSM IV R

Abstract
This paper provides a brief history of cocaine use and an overview of the disparity between powdered cocaine users and crack cocaine users and will enumerate the reasons for the disparity. The paper also looks at the disparity between the sentencing of powdered cocaine users and crack cocaine users.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Review of Related Literature
Cocaine: Facts and History
Effects of Cocaine
History of Cocaine Use
Social Classes of America
Upper Class
Middle Class
Working Class
Lower Class
Crack vs. Powdered Cocaine
Powdered Cocaine
Crack Cocaine
Class Disparity on Powdered Cocaine and Crack Cocaine Use
Introduction of Cocaine to the Capitalist Economy
The Disparity of Crack vs. Cocaine Use
Sentencing Policy on Cocaine and Crack Cocaine
Racial Disparity
Legislative History
Litigation
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In the case United States v. Armstrong, four defendants in Los Angeles charged with trafficking crack cocaine filed a motion for discovery or dismissal, alleging that they were victims of "selective prosecution" by race. This motion was made after the federal public defender's office found that all 24 crack cocaine cases closed in Los Angeles in 1991 involved blacks. The district court and the circuit court upheld the motion, but the federal prosecutor refused to comply. The government then appealed to the Supreme Court, which decided in favor of the government."

Tags:history class race violence, sentencing policy