Drug Education Teacher Booklet

22 IMMEDIATE LONG TERM ● Dilated (enlarged) pupils ● Irregular heartbeat ● Reduced appetite ● Increased energy and confidence ● Feeling of euphoria (a ‘high’) ● Nausea and vomiting ● Anxiety and panic attacks ● A comedown* ● Aggressive behaviour ● Headaches and dizziness ● Twitches and tremors ● Insomnia ● Hallucinations (e.g. seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there) ● Delusions (strong beliefs that do not reflect reality) ● Paranoia and psychosis* ● Overdose ● Dependence* ● Nasal and sinus problems including damage to the nasal septum ● Mental health problems (such as depression and anxiety) ● Heart damage ● Lung problems ● Kidney failure ● Increased risk of strokes and seizures WHAT IS IT? Cocaine is produced from the leaves of the Erthroxylon coca plant, and comes in three main forms: ● A paste which is often off-white or light brown ● A powder which is often white or off-white ● A white or off-white crystal rock known as crack cocaine In Australia, cocaine is most commonly used in powder form, which is often snorted. As with all powder drugs, it is often sold ‘cut’ (mixed) with other white powder substances which can sometimes be harmful in their own right. This makes it hard for the user to know the purity of what’s being taken. Cocaine is also known as coke, blow, charlie, C, dust, flake, nose candy, snow, white, crack, rock, and freebase. EFFECTS OF COCAINE When snorted or injected, cocaine quickly produces an intense ‘rush’. This feeling or ‘high’ doesn’t last very long – usually around 30-45 minutes if snorted. Effects of cocaine vary, but may include: * See Glossary on page 36 COCAINE