Cocaine by KAYLANI GRAHAM https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq 8.5% of twelfth graders have used cocaine at some point in their life en-us 2018-11-05 22:13:42 UTC 2026-03-18 19:50:15 UTC hello@padlet.com What is cocaine? 22kaylani_graham https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/300764280 The main ingredient in cocaine is pulled from the leaves of a coca plant. In order to do this there's a few things that need to be done: soak the leaves in gasoline, mix that with acid, filter the mixture through a cloth, dry the mixture, mix the powder with a solvent (such as acetone), and then press and heat the remainder. Dealers often dilute cocaine with things that can be found around the house such as cornstarch, talcum powder, baking soda, or flour and sometimes the things used to dilute cocaine aren't so healthy. ]]> 2018-11-05 22:39:19 UTC https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/300764280 Uses and Effects of Cocaine 22kaylani_graham https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/300780392 Cocaine comes in many forms like a white powder, paste, or a solidified, rocky texture (which is crack-cocaine). All of these forms produce the same effects: rapid-onset high, speeds up various physiological processes, and influences both short- and long-term mental health. Not all cocaine is abused though. Cocaine is considered a schedule II controlled substance and can be used to help with pain in medical procedures. The short-term effects that are the reason for cocaine's addictive power are feelings of euphoria, increased energy, higher self-esteem, and elevated mood. Along with these "good" effects, there is also the given other side of bad effects, which include feelings of restlessness, irritability and anxiety, panic, and paranoia. Whether used for a short or long period of time, the end side effects can be the same. These include tremors, muscle twitches or tics, paranoia, vertigo, constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, increased heart rate/blood pressure/body temperature, and decreased sexual function. ]]> 2018-11-06 00:12:59 UTC https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/300780392 Cocaine Popularity 22kaylani_graham https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/302691105 Cocaine used to be everywhere, and it was legal. When used right, cocaine can be a anesthetic and help reduce bleeding of the mucous membranes in the mouth, nose, and throat. Colombia produces 70-80% of the world's cocaine. The number of people who have ever used cocaine has almost doubled from 2004 to 2016. Right now cocaine use is at a 15-year high. In countries like Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, possessing a small amount of cocaine isn't considered a crime. ]]> 2018-11-09 17:54:20 UTC https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/302691105 Addiction 22kaylani_graham https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/302709653 The age group that's well known for abusing cocaine is 18-25. All ages engage in this risky activity though. There are 7,000+ cocaine-related deaths in the US each year. People that abuse cocaine go after the high that it gives them. Since this high doesn't last very long, depending on how you ingest it, continuous use is the reason that people get addicted and that increases their chance of overdose. ]]> 2018-11-09 18:33:30 UTC https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/302709653 Treatment 22kaylani_graham https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/302716215 Pharmacological
- There's no specific medication that's approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
- Research being done on medications to fix the neurotransmitters in the brain affected by cocaine use
-  Disulfiram is used to treat alcoholism and that has showed the most promise in reducing cocaine use, but doctors don't know why and it doesn't work for everybody
- A cocaine vaccine is being tested to help prevent relapse 
- Medical interventions are in the early stages and the hope is to use engineered human enzymes to breakdown the cocaine in a person's system to counter the effects of an overdose
Behavioral Interventions
- Contingency Management is a highly effective treatment. Prizes are awarded for drug-free urine tests and patients will receive chips or points that they can turn in at the end of their treatment and receive things that will help better their lives and keep them busy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- helps patients develop skills that they can use to avoid situations where cocaine will be present 
- skills to cope effectively with the problems associated with drug use
Therapeutic Communities 
- residencies where drug users can stay for 6-12 months with other drug users so they can help and understand each other so they can both change their behaviors
- rehabilitation and other services help people focus on reentering society on their own successfully

]]> 2018-11-09 18:46:18 UTC https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/302716215 Michigan Connection 22kaylani_graham https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/302738434 Part of a drug ring was busted and ten people were arrested. This ring stretched from Saginaw to Detroit to Grand Rapids. Five hundred grams of cocaine were found during the arrests. ]]> 2018-11-09 19:28:02 UTC https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/302738434 World Connection 22kaylani_graham https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/302742905 Colombia's cocaine production is at an all-time high with the US being its number one consumer. America has given Colombia millions of dollars to try and assist on their war on drugs. Colombia is also making their own efforts by compensating farmers who agree to stop growing coca and switch to safer crops. ]]> 2018-11-09 19:36:43 UTC https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/302742905 Cited Sources 22kaylani_graham https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/302745994 “Cocaine Addiction Facts & Statistics.” Beacon House, beaconhouse.org/.

“Colombia Cocaine Production Acreage at 'Record Level'.” BBC News, BBC, 20 Sept. 2018, www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-45578492.

“Drug Abuse Treatment – Alcohol and Substance Abuse Programs.” DrugAbuse.com, drugabuse.com/.

“Feds Bust Cocaine Ring in Michigan.” WSGW 790 AM, 8 Nov. 2018, www.wsgw.com/feds-bust-cocaine-ring-in-michigan/.

“Information About Illegal Drugs & Alcohol Abuse - Drug-Free World.” Foundation for a Drug-Free World, www.drugfreeworld.org/.

“Las Vegas Addiction Treatment Center.” Desert Hope, deserthopetreatment.com/.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Cocaine.” NIDA, 6 May 2016, www.drugabuse.gov/.

The University of Queensland, Jason Ferris, et al. “Weekly Dose: Cocaine, the Glamour Drug of the '70s, Is Making a Comeback.” Theconversation.com, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2018, theconversation.com/.


]]> 2018-11-09 19:43:47 UTC https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/302745994 Final Thought 22kaylani_graham https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/302748716 2018-11-09 19:49:28 UTC https://padlet.com/22kaylani_graham/v0w40e6hphsq/wish/302748716