Effects of Alcohol and Drugs on Human Health
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The Effects of Alcohol and Drugs on Human Health
By: Sophie Lam
Date: February 2003
Drug Facts
Cocaine/Crack
How it works
Cocaine occurs naturally in the leaves of the South American coca plant, although its usually treated before it hits the streets. It comes as a white powder - cocaine hydrochloride - though people still chew the original coca leaves sometimes. Most Coke users sniff it up their noses using a rolled up piece of paper, or banknote to show off. Scientists think it works by overdosing your nerves on a natural brain messenger that tells them to feel pleasure, called dopamine. However, cocaine stops you making dopamine after you sniff it for a while, so you cant feel happy again until you get more cocaine. Then you get addicted just to feel normal.
Crack is a derivative of cocaine that comes in small white crystals. When heated they make a 'crack' or 'popping' sound. Crack smoke rushes to your brain and you get a mere 2 minutes intensive rush, followed by a 20 minutes buzz and then a totally massive crash. It is very, very addictive'...