Crack

Crack is a smokeable form of cocaine.

'Crack' emerged as the 'in' drug in the early 1980s, initially in the United States. Its use has now spread to other countries. It is produced by mixing cocaine hydrochloride with baking soda or ammonia and/or amphetamine powder. Water is then added to form a paste which is heated and dried. After drying the 'Crack' is broken into small pieces.

Administration

Crack crystals are heated until they evaporate and the resulting smoke inhaled.

Associated Equipment

Equipment consists of snuff spoons, razor blades, mirrors, fancy phials or pill boxes, glass or metal tubes or empty ball point pen refills.

Degree of Addiction

Psychological addiction:    strong
Environmental addiction:   strong
Physical addiction:              none to slight
Body tolerance:                    slight

Influence and Symptoms

Smoking Crack is much more dangerous than sniffing cocaine. The symptoms of Crack are an immediate high lasting no more than 30 minutes and sometimes as little as 10. The high is followed by intense depression. The user can become psychotic, violent, paranoid and extremely confused. Physical effects are brain seizure, loss of consciousness and lung damage.

Crack like cocaine produces tolerance and users need to keep taking larger amounts to get the same effect, thereby increasing the risk of overdose. Users often chase the high by repeating the dose. Heavy users may take heroin to dull the craving caused by the use of Crack. Heavy use can lead to potentially fatal heart problems, convulsions and can seriously harm the lungs and cause chest pain. Crack is highly addictive.