60seconds Sam: The Cocaine Factsheet
Post categories: 60seconds, How Drugs Work
| 16:20 UK time, Thursday, 20 January 2011
It was once seen as the illegal "drug of choice" for the rich and famous, but a fall in the street price in recent years has helped turn cocaine into the most common Class A drug in Britain. Government figures suggest 5.5% of 16-24 year olds took powder cocaine between 2009 and 2010. While use of most other illegal drugs has fallen overall - figures show that cocaine use has actually gone up.
So, why do some people take it and what are the dangers? In How Drugs Work: Cocaine we take a closer look at the drug and follow its journey from the moment it enters the body.
(Warning: This clip contains graphic scenes from an operation.)
Let's look at what is known about cocaine.
What exactly is it?
The drug is made from the leaves of the coca plant which grows in South America. It comes in two main forms:
What are the main risks?
Cocaine, especially crack, is highly addictive - experts say users are in danger of developing a psychological dependence to the drug.
Drugscope, a charity which provides information on drugs, says cocaine is a stimulant which kicks in quickly - but also wears off after about 30 minutes.
What about the law?
Cocaine is an illegal Class A drug in Britain, so the penalties for having or selling it are severe:
There's more information, as well as help and advice, on the following websites:
Add your comment.
So, why do some people take it and what are the dangers? In How Drugs Work: Cocaine we take a closer look at the drug and follow its journey from the moment it enters the body.
(Warning: This clip contains graphic scenes from an operation.)
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Let's look at what is known about cocaine.
What exactly is it?
The drug is made from the leaves of the coca plant which grows in South America. It comes in two main forms:
- White powder - often called coke or snow - is divided into lines and snorted.
- Small lumps known as crack. This is usually smoked in a pipe or tin foil.
What are the main risks?
Cocaine, especially crack, is highly addictive - experts say users are in danger of developing a psychological dependence to the drug.
- Some of those questioned in How Drugs Work: Cocaine said they quickly built up a tolerance, so they needed to take more and more to get the same high.
- The drug affects the heart, making it beat faster and causing blood pressure to rise. Researchers believe the risk of having a heart attack increases dramatically after taking cocaine. It's thought that you're even more likely to have a heart attack if you drink alcohol with the drug.
- Snorting too much coke can harm the nose. The tissue can weaken and die causing a hole or perforations in the nose to develop - surgery is often required to repair this damage.
Drugscope, a charity which provides information on drugs, says cocaine is a stimulant which kicks in quickly - but also wears off after about 30 minutes.
- Users report feeling more confident, assertive and talkative.
- Scientists say the initial euphoria felt after taking cocaine comes from the release of the chemical dopamine in the brain.
- Users tend to become depressed, irritable and tired as they come down from the drug.
What about the law?
Cocaine is an illegal Class A drug in Britain, so the penalties for having or selling it are severe:
- Possession - up to 7 years in prison.
- Supply - you could face life in jail if you're caught selling it.
There's more information, as well as help and advice, on the following websites:
- BBC Health: Cocaine
- BBC Radio 1's The Surgery: Cocaine
- FRANK
- Drugscope
- Find out more about the How Drugs Work series
- Watch a clip of cocaine production that Bruce Parry uncovers in the Amazon
- Watch How Drugs Work: Cocaine
- Read the Cannabis Factsheet
- Watch How Drugs Work:Cannabis
- Read the Ecstasy Factsheet
- Watch How Drugs Work: Ecstasy
- More about the Dangerous Pleasures Season
Add your comment.
Comment number 1.
At 22:04 20th Jan 2011, Lil_Gema wrote:I have really enjoyed watching this series and unlike others I have seen previously, I think this series was unbiased and accurate. A very realistic insight to how drugs work. Well done!
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Comment number 2.
At 22:07 20th Jan 2011, technoistism1 wrote:why was there no programme on the truth about ketamine!!
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Comment number 3.
At 22:07 20th Jan 2011, mrcrewealex wrote:coke is in the past. mkat is the way forward now
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Comment number 4.
At 22:24 20th Jan 2011, itsajoketowatch wrote:I wonder what sort of inpact this is going to have on users, I must say I wouldn't be too proud of the users on tonights show especially if it were my son, what I would like to say was the surgey to repair the whole in the nose paid for by goverment money? money we all work hard for. £18000 my daughter has paid for IVF treatment makes my blood boil to think that we waste time energy and money on people that self inflict... excellent programme lets hope it gets trough to some beore its too late.
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Comment number 5.
At 04:00 22nd Jan 2011, Liam [] And Larsson fixes the radio! wrote:So what you're saying, itsajoketowatch, is that it should be legalised so it can be properly regulated and taxed?
I agree.
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Comment number 6.
At 20:33 18th Apr 2011, Shielmor wrote:I totally agree with Technoistism . We , members of the public want to see a similar programme addressing Ketamine . It's effects ,highs and lows and how it has become a chosen rave drug of our younger generation . Please go to my website :
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