History of Cocaine
Cocaine derives from the leaves of the Erythroxylan Coca plant which can be found in the eastern slopes of the Andes in South America. It is typically grown in the countries of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Columbia. The Incas and other South American Indians have used the leaves of the coca plant for thousands of years. In ceremonies and rituals shamans would either smoke, drink tea, or swallow the masticated juices of the dried leaves in pursuit of inducing a trance like state with occasional visions. When the Spanish discovered the properties of the coca plant they not only taxed it, but used it to bolster the stamina of their mining work forces, which were comprised of enslaved Indians. They found it to increase productivity by reducing appetite, diminishing the requirements of sleep, and elevating physical endurance.
Cocaine is an extremely powerful natural stimulant that directly affects the brain and the rest of the central nervous system. Since it's introduction into Western culture in the late 1800's, it has been used in a multitude of ways. Cocaine could be found in just about anything including cigarettes, soft drinks, and various tonics used to treat the symptoms of colds and other maladies. Even today, although it has been replaced in many areas by synthetics, it is still used as a local anesthesia during surgical procedures of the eyes, ears and mouth. For a long time cocaine has been considered a therapeutic drug of many applications. Even the well known Sigmund Freud praised it's use in the eradication of several undesirable symptoms. It was not until the early nineteen hundreds that people began to notice the many behavioral and psychiatric problems that accompany the use of cocaine. In 1906 with the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act and then in 1914 with the Harrison Act, cocaine became illegal to sell in over the counter products. This significantly limited its use for a time until the mid nineteen hundreds when it began to hit the streets through the black market. In 1970 cocaine was classified as a schedule II controlled substance, because of it's addictive and abusive nature. It can however still be administered by a doctor for specific medical uses.
Throughout the 1960's, 70's, and 80's cocaine once again became popular in the United States. Although illegal, it was still relatively easy to find, and became a large black market import. Made popular by the example and affluence of celebrities, media, and financial opportunities, cocaine became prevalent in most cities. During this time period, cocaine was rather expensive and was typically used by the middle and upper class as a recreational drug. Discos, clubs, and other dancing establishments were quite popular in this era and not only condoned the use of the illicit drug, but often provided it.
Crack was introduced into the United States sometime in the late eighties. Crack is a cocaine base processed with ammonia or baking soda and water created for the purpose of smoking it, which enables immediate absorption from the lungs to the blood. The formulation of crack has taken the cocaine market to extremes as it allows dealers to sell it in small amounts for very little money. This has enabled cocaine to become available to not only the rich and influential, but to everyone.
Cocaine is not as popular today as it was twenty years ago. It is however, still prevalent and equally as destructive. Many people suffer from cocaine drug addiction and the disabling problems that accompany it.
Drug Specific Information and Facts
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