AKA: Charlie, coke, snow, gak
What is it?
Cocaine is a white powder that’s usually inhaled up the nose (snorted), rubbed into the gums or injected. It can also be made into a smokeable drug called crack.
How does it make you feel?
Cocaine makes you excited and confident. This buzz usually lasts from 15 to 30 minutes. Users feel very awake and are unable to feel pain.
What are the health effects?
Cocaine can cause heart problems, convulsions, paranoia and breathing problems. Very large doses can kill. Snorting cocaine causes permanent damage to the nose.
Cocaine is addictive and regular users find they need to take more and more to achieve the same effect. When they stop taking it they’re left feeling exhausted, depressed, anxious and restless.
The law
Cocaine is a class A drug. You could face a seven-year prison sentence just for having some (possession).
If you’re convicted of supplying it (selling or giving it to other people) the maximum prison sentence is life.
Further help and advice
• Cauk.org.uk (Cocaine Anonymous)
• Talktofrank.com
• Thesite.org
• Addaction.org.uk
• Adfam.org.uk
• Radio 1 OneLife
Or you can call Childline on 0800 1111 (free) or The Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (cost of a local call) 24/7 to talk about your problems.
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Pictures posed by models.
