98 lines
3.2 KiB
Standard ML
98 lines
3.2 KiB
Standard ML
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COCAINE
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Q. WHAT IS COCAINE?
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A. Cocaine is an extract of the leaves of the coca plant
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native to Central and S. America. It is odorless, color-
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less to white in a crystalline or powdery consistency. It
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acts as a stimulant drug with a primary central nervous
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system action. It effects the brain and body as speed or
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amphetamine, though it is not chemically related.
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Q. WHY DO PEOPLE THINK COCAINE IS SAFE?
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A. Cocaine does not create a physical dependence and
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withdrawal as heroin. Regular cocaine use does not cause
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severe withdrawal symptoms in all people. Rather, a
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dependence for the brain stimulation is created. It can
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become a self-perpetuated and self-consuming drive for the
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"high". The high is short-lived and may give way to bad
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mood, paranoid psychosis and sensory hallucinations. At
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high doses, cocaine may cause death.
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Q. DO WE HAVE A COCAINE PROBLEM?
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A. Yes! It is estimated that nearly 22 million people
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have used cocaine, over 1 million are profoundly dependent,
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and there are more than 5 million regular users.
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Q. WHAT ARE THE MEDICAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH COCAINE?
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A. A steady physical deterioration and general health
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failure are common. Loss of energy, insomnia, sore throat
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and nose bleeds, headaches, sinus problems and runny nose.
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Lost sex drive or poor or decreased sexual performance.
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Trembling, seizures or convulsions. Nausea or vomiting.
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Constant licking of lips or grinding of teeth. Constant
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sniffling or rubbing the nose. Loss of consciousness,
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trouble breathing or swallowing, heart palpitations and lack
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of interest in personal health and hygiene.
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From a psychiatric perspective, anxiety and irritability,
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depression, panic, delusions and paranoia, lack of concen-
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tration, hearing voices, loss of interest in friends and
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non-drug related activites, memory problems, thoughts of
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suicide, blackouts and compulsive behavior are key
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indicators of cocaine dependence.
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Q. WHAT OTHER INDICATIONS ARE THERE TO DEPENDENCE?
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A. Ask yourself: do you need cocaine? Do you think
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you are addicted? Are you unable to refuse it when it
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is available? Can you stop for one month? Do you use
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cocaine for perhaps 24 hrs. continuously? Do you miss
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work? Do you prefer cocaine to talking with friends? To
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family activites? To sex? To food? Do you use it alone?
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Do you use cocaine before breakfast? Do you fear being
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discovered as a user? Do you sell cocaine, or support your
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buying through some illicit activity?
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Q. CAN YOU DIE FROM COCAINE?
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A. Yes, many ways. About 1,000 milligrams is said to be
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lethal. Personal tolerances and how the cocaine was taken
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play an important role in determining a lethal dose. Death
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is fairly rapid in most cases, usually through convulsions
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and heart and lung failure, and can occur in snorters,
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injectors and free-base smokers. Death can also come as a
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result of heart attack, stroke or arrhythmia. Suffocation
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and drowning in one's own secretions can occure as well.
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1-800-COCAINE
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A national treatment referral and information service.
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Fair Oaks Hospital
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19 Prospect Street
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Summit, N.J. 07901
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BRYAN POLICE DEPT.
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--CRIMEBYTE BBS
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(409) 779-2936
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(Bryan, Texas)
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