THE HISTORY OF COCAINE

The strongly addictive stimulant, Cocaine, affects one’s brain directly. It was labeled as the 1980s and ‘90s drug, owing to its excessive use throughout this period and the extensive popularity of this drug. Nevertheless, it is not one of the new drugs. Actually, cocaine is one of the oldest of them.

  Cocaine hydrochloride, which is a pure chemical, is one of the century old abused substances. The source of this drug, that is coca leaves, has been consumed for over a thousand of year.

Cocaine, in its pure form was first extracted around mid-19th century from Erythroxylon coca bush’s leaves. These plants grow mostly at Bolivia and Peru. During the early 1900s, cocaine became the primary stimulant drug for most tonics/elixirs that could treat many diseases. Now, it is marked as the so-called “Schedule II drug”. This implies that cocaine has a great possibility for abuse; though doctors may administer it for certain legitimate medical purposes, like local anesthesia, often required for throat, ear and eye surgeries.

It is usually sold on streets as white, crystalline, fine powder, often referred to as “C”, “coke”, “blow”, “flake” or “snow”. Generally street dealers tend to dilute it with talcum powder, cornstarch, sugar or other inert substances. They may also use active drugs like procaine, or amphetamines as other stimulants.