What it is

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant of the central nervous system and an appetite suppressant. It provides increased energy and a euphoric sense of wellbeing.

Cocaine commonly comes in the form of a white odourless powder called cocaine hydrochloride (HCI). This is the pure form of cocaine that has a pearl-colouredappearance and a bitter numbing taste. The powder is extracted from the leaves of the coca bush found. Various chemicals are used to develop the different types of cocaine.

Historically, cocaine was used as a painkiller in dentistry and for surgical operations on eyes and throats.
There are several forms of cocaine, each with differing modes of administration:

• Freebase – Freebase is the base form of cocaine as opposed to the salt. It is derived from cocaine hydrochloride which has been chemically treated with ammonia or baking soda. It then forms shards of rock like crystals that are not dissolvable in water, so freebase cannot be injected or sniffed. It is smoked from pipes, or mixed with tobacco or cannabis and the rush is almost instant. The initial high lasts no longer than 5-10 minutes and a craving for a second hit occurs soon after.
• Crack cocaine – Crack is a less pure variety of freebase. The cocaine hydrochloride is mixed with baking soda and water, and then heated to form crystals like rocks. Crack cocaine is smoked. Crack cocaine was initially developed for a poorer market and some people still refer to it today as 'poor man’s cocaine'. Crack cocaine’s impurity is indicated by its colour which will generally range from a yellowish crème to light brown. Pure cocaine (HCI) will be a pearly white colour.
• Cocaine hydrochloride - Cocaine hydrochloride is a salt and a more pure form of cocaine, though it can sometimes be mixed with other substances, some of which are poisonous. It comes in a powdered form which is snorted. The powder that is not absorbed through the nasal membranes collect in mucus and drips down the back of the throat. For many this is an unpleasant sensation. Regular and heavy snorting use can damage the tissue on the inside of the nose.

Slang
Coke, C, Charlie, Snow, Crack, Rock, Freebase, Nose candy, Dust, Toot, White lady