A research paper on cocaine, and its effects on the user.

Grown in the countries of South America, with Columbia being the most productive, the Erythroxylon Coca bush is the natural origin of cocaine, a central nervous stimulant. Its history is as rich and diverse as the people using and dealing the drug. Cocaine use dates as far back as the 16th century when it was used among Inca royalty. In the early 1800s cocaine was introduced to Europe. Sigmond Freud wrote a song in its honor and famous author Robert Louis Stevenson wrote The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde during a six -day cocaine binge. In the early 1900s cocaine was available to consumers over the counter. Its medicinal value was a relief for toothaches and congestion. Parke Davis advised their consumers of the effects of†¦show more content†¦Irritability, restlessness, insomnia and paranoia replace the euphoria. Physically, the long- term user will lose interest in sex and lose weight. Those who snort the drug wear out their nasal septum while those who inject it risk the chance of contracting hepatitis or AIDS. Cocaine related deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory arrest. Over time, to the users tolerance, the drug will build. To achieve the same effects as that of early usage requires larger doses of the drug. The user becomes psychologically dependent. The drug becomes pivotal to their thoughts, feelings and their daily activities. Cocaine just made you feel really good. Then after you get done feeling really good then you start to get a Superman ego and thats the beginning of the end. (Drug Wars; A Frontline, PBS Production) Often times, cocaine addicts develop an illicit lifestyle to keep up with their drug habit. Cocaines influence leads a user to stealing from family, friends and even employers. The lifestyle of addicts becomes as corrupt as the organizations that produce and supply the product. Cocaines addiction has two sides: the love of the high and the love of the money. The US Government has estimated that cocaine trafficking takes nearly $80 billion a year out of our economy. In 1990, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) estimated about 20 Colombian organizations controlled most of Americas cocaine supply. AnnualShow MoreRelatedDrugs And Its Effects On Society1413 Words   |  6 Pagesthat we know them to be today, but people have been creative and have used what has been made available to them to use drugs, whether they knew it or not. Most of these early drug-users either used out of tradition and a ritualistic culture or because there was a need for some type of healing. The drug and stimulant, cocaine, is extracted from the coca plant. This plant is native to South America and has been used for thousands of years. It was first used out of both tradition and for healing. 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