Cocaine Module 6 ALLIED TRADES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Preventative Education: Substance Use Disorder
DID YOU KNOW? 36.8 million Americans (12+) have abused cocaine 292,000 use cocaine daily or almost daily Over 600,000 Americans are currently addicted to crack Among 20-40 year old fulltime employed workers, 1 out of 20 uses drugs regularly
Babies born to mothers who use cocaine during pregnancy are often prematurely delivered have low birth weights smaller head circumferences are shorter in length than babies born to mothers who do not use cocaine More than 400,000 infants are born addicted to cocaine in the US.
DID YOU KNOW? More than 70% of substance users hold jobs 64% admitted drugs had adversely affected their job performance
The U.S. is the world s #1 importer and user of cocaine.
DID YOU KNOW? 44% admitted selling drugs to coworkers 38% bought drugs from co-workers 44% of drug users support their habits by stealing from or selling drugs to fellow employees
What is Cocaine? Where did it originate? Cocaine comes from the leaves of the coca plant. Coca plants are primarily cultivated in Peru, Bolivia, and Columbia
Using coca leaves for "a sense of well being" can be traced back to 500 AD By 1000 AD, the coca shrub was extensively cultivated in Peru Note: Inca surgeons used coca leaves as a local anesthesia 500 AD 1000 AD HISTORY
In 1884, Sigmund Freud experimented with coca leaves to find a therapeutic use. He found that cocaine was capable of alleviating withdrawal symptoms for those trying to kick opium addiction. Freud was also one of the first to recognize the negative effects.
By 1885, many forms of Cocaine were readily available. Parke Davis Pharmaceuticals sold many forms of Cocaine from Cigarettes to Hypodermic Syringes.
By 1903 even soft drinks contained Cocaine -- Coca Cola
From 1897-1914, after the psychological effects and later depression were well recognized, 46 states passed laws to regulate the use and distribution of cocaine. BY 1920, DURING THE DEPRESSION, COCAINE BECAME MORE EXPENSIVE AND LESS AVAILABLE
By 1930 there was very little use: it was considered a RICH MAN S DRUG
1970's Despite the well known dangers, widespread heavy use continued. Primarily in the entertainment industry.
1980's Crack (cocaine that can be smoked) is born THE POOR COULD AFFORD IT ($10)
FORMS OF COCAINE 1 2 3 4 Crack or Rock A simple and stable preparation of cocaine base for smoking Coca Paste A crude extract containing cocaine in a smokable form Freebase A method of preparing cocaine base so that it may be smoked Cocaine Hydrochloride The most common form of pure cocaine; it is stable and water soluble
HOW PEOPLE USE COCAINE & what the effects are
Method #1 METHOD: Chewing and sucking cocoa leaves EFFECTS: absorbed slowly through the mucous membranes.
Method #2 METHOD: Snorting or sniffing powder Effects: gets high into nasal passages where it is absorbed quite rapidly and reaches the brain quickly.
Method #3 METHOD: Intravenous Effects: delivers very high concentration to the brain, producing a rapid, powerful and brief effect.
Method #4 Method: Smoking Effects: lungs provide a large surface area for absorption and blood circulation from the lungs to the brain is quite rapid, smoking crack produces more rapid and profound dependence than even IV use.
DANGERS Acute toxicity acute cocaine poisoning leads to profound central nervous system stimulation, progressing to convulsions that may lead to respiratory or cardiac arrest Chronic toxicity chronically inflamed, runny nose Malnutrition irritability and restlessness paranoia that could lead to a full blown paranoid psychosis in which the individual loses touch with reality Psychological and physical dependence Cravings withdrawal symptoms
Patterns of Cocaine Use It is clear that cocaine was the drug of choice for the 1980 s. Throughout the early 1980 s, the national household survey conducted by NIDA found that between 7% and 9% of young adults reported use of cocaine within the past month.
By 1991, the comparable figure had dropped to 2% and all indications were that use of cocaine had dropped significantly in the general population.
The annual national high school senior survey reported an 80% decrease in current use of cocaine over the period 1985 to 1991.
However, data on emergency room admissions and Cocaine related deaths did not follow a similar pattern of use in the general population- cocaine related emergencies and deaths reached a peak in the late 1980 s
The concern is that the type of use had shifted to a more dangerous form (crack) along with a shift to younger and poorer users.
PREDICTING THE FUTURE Today, cocaine seems to be quietly sitting on the sideline, while drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, along with prescription drugs threaten to become the new epidemic
Celebrities who died from Cocaine Chris Farley died in December 1997 from a cocaine overdose WHITNEY HUSTON DIED FROM SUICIDE WITH A HIGH DOSE OF COCAINE IN HER SYSTEM
If you or someone you know is suffering from substance use disorder or mental health issues, reach out to someone for assistance. -Your EAP can helpwww.alliedtrades-online.com
Resources https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/researchreports/cocaine/what-are-effects-maternal-cocaine-use Video resource Category Science & Technology License Standard YouTube License www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxi7ptvrfhq