Shrub:
The shrub called Erythroxylon coca develops fully in the geographic area of the plateau, whose growth is favored by wet weather and temperature prevailing in the area.

Of this shrub and its leaves are properly extracted a white substance, crystalline, known cocaine hydrochloride.

It is distinguished from other shrubs, because their whole leaves shortly petiolate, oval, obtuse, 2 to 7 cm. long by 1.5 to 4 cm. wide, eventually lattice, with prominent midrib. Are about equal on each side of the midrib and about one third of the distance is on the verge, has two curved lines, clearly visible. They are grayish-green, sometimes brownish, stiff and hairless, weak aromatic odor and bitter taste, astringent and slightly bitter.

Most important features of the coca leaf, are especially two configurations that run parallel to the midrib, the entire length of it, are specific elements that allow unquestionable identification by simple observation.

Coca leaves are chewed in its raw state by the inhabitants of northern Argentina, Bolivia and Peru, as also rolled with baking soda, lime or ashes of a plant, finding a stimulus or practice and thereby reduce the feeling of hunger, low ambient oxygen partial pressure due to the altitude, all factors determining truly inhospitable conditions. This action is commonly called “Coking”.

Cocaine is the main alkaloid obtained from the leaves resulting in the percentage with 0.5 to 1.5% variable.

The extraction is relatively simple, being able to make with items readily available reagents and not requiring the infrastructure of a laboratory for the process.

One of the most common method for obtaining cocaine is macerated coca leaves with lime for three days, then separating the active part of the coca leaf. This post is mixed with kerosene and liquid thus obtained is combined with sulfuric acid thereby obtaining a precipitate of the active substance sulfate. The next step is to undertake a dry substance obtained, and again it is combined with sulfuric acid and potassium permanganate, all to obtain a purified solution, filtering and adding more acid.

The solid product is separated and dry once you get the coca paste or cocaine base. As a last step we add the paste is dissolved in acetone and ether, then adding hydrochloric acid. This solution is filtered and alcohol added, yielding after 3 or 4 hours a precipitate crystalline solid known as “cocaine hydrochloride” with an approximate purity of 90% .-

Cocaine hydrochloride, is sold illegally in the form of small envelopes, which contain 0.5 to 1 gram of drugs, commonly known as “ravioli” .-

These doses are often adulterated by the addition of synthetic anesthetics, baking soda, granulated sugar, etc .-

The method of administration for addicts is by inhalation, absorption occurring in the nasal mucosa and also by injection.

Cocaine is a stimulant drug central nervous system and mucous erices anesthetic nerve. In our environment is more difficult to obtain than amphetamines.

This type of drug produces effects such as euphoria, feeling of increased muscle strength, decreased fatigue, dilated pupils, rapid heart rate and increased blood pressure, cocaine addicts seeking drugs have a red nose, with rash and broken veins around it, because it dries mucous membranes, which motivates the individual to constantly rub the itching sensation. The application of higher doses causes fever, vomiting, hallucinations, convulsions.

Increases in sexual eroticism, but the capacity is zero sexual inhibition and spinal anesthesia, typical actions of cocaine.

Death occurs due to reduced respiratory and cardiac functions. Given the intense stimulation that the addict receives the drug, the majority of them decide to combine it with a sedative, such as heroin. The cocaine addict may feel a strong psychological dependence, physical non-pro. When they stop using the drug, may have hallucinations and depression.

Despite producing only psychic dependence, abstinence causes great impulsibilidad, which facilitates the conduct of criminal acts against other people and / or things. Therefore, cocaine is one of the factors triggering offenses for their use and abstinence phenomena.

When cocaine is introduced through the nose, start feeling the effects within a few minutes. These effects include: dilated pupils, increased blood pressure, the heart pulse rate and respiration, as also denoted a marked increase in body temperature. Also some regular users of the drug claim feelings of restlessness, irritability, anxiety and insomnia. In some people, even low doses of cocaine can create serious psychological problems. With high doses may suffer paranoia or experience what is called “cocaine psychosis“.

The occasional use can cause runny or blocked nose, while chronic aspiration can ulcerate the mucous membrane of the nose.

Although few people understand it, deaths can occur when injecting excessive doses, smoke or take drugs. The deaths are the result of multiple attacks suspension followed by respiratory and cardiac activity. Anyone addicted to this drug is subject to a fatal outcome when least expected, because cocaine in all its forms creates such physical and psychological dependence that consumers are using in increasing quantities in order to achieve the results we obtained in its inception, this being the cause of excess and therefore death from overdose .-

Cocaine is a drug extracted from coca leaves (a plant that grows in South America). Cocaine appears in various forms. Cocaine hydrochloride is the most available drugs. It is often a fine white powder-like crystal, but sometimes comes in larger pieces. Usually snorted or cocaine is inserted through the nose, although some addicts will inject or smoke as a drug called “free base”.

The “free base” is a form of cocaine that is manufactured chemically converting cocaine hydrochloride to a purified substance and subsequently altered to smoke it is more appropriate and which is commonly known as Crake. There is also another form of “crak” (which is commonly achieved by low value) arising from processing wastes to hydrochloride .

This form is highly impure and toxic .-

This drug is sold in pieces that resemble small white beans, sometimes pressed into tiny pills. Causes greater addiction than heroin or barbiturates and its effects begin to be less than ten seconds after consumed. Among the physical effects caused by the crak include: dilated pupils, rapid pulse, elevated blood pressure, insomnia, loss of appetite, tactile hallucinations, paranoia and seizures. The customary use of this form of drug, can cause violent behavior and psychotic states similar to schizophrenia .