To learn more about cocaine or

obtain referrals to programs in

your community, contact:

SAMHSA’s National Clearinghouse

for Alcohol and Drug Information

800-729-6686

TDD 800-487-4889

linea gratis en español

877-767-8432

The bottom line: The bottom line: If The bottom line: you know someone who has a problem with

cocaine/crack cocaine, urge him or her to stop or get help. If you use

it—stop! The longer you ignore the real facts, the more chances you

take with your life.

It's never too late. Talk to your parents, a doctor, a counselor, a

teacher, or another adult you trust.

Do it today!

Q.Is cocaine really still a problem?

A. Yes. In 2001, more than 1.1

million people tried cocaine, a level

of first use not seen since 1988.2

Q.Isn't crack less addictive than

cocaine because it doesn't stay

in your body very long?

A. No. Both cocaine and crack are

powerfully addictive. The length

of time it stays in your body doesn't

change that.

Q.Don't some people use cocaine

to feel good?

A. Any positive feelings are fleeting and

often followed by some very bad

feelings, like paranoia and intense

cravings. Cocaine may give users a

temporary illusion of power and

energy, but it often leaves them

unable to function emotionally,

physically, and sexually.

Cocaine••••••

Curious about the TV ads of the National Youth

Anti-Drug Media Campaign? Check out the Web site at

www.freevibe.com or visit the Office of National Drug

Control Policy Web site at www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov.

Cocaine••••••
Slang—Coke, Dust, Toot, Snow, Blow, Sneeze, Powder, Lines, Rock (Crack)

or alcohol is extremely dangerous. The effects of one

drug can magnify the effects of another, and mixing

substances can be deadly.

Be aware. Cocaine is expensive. Regular users can

spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars on

cocaine each week.

Stay in control. Cocaine impairs your judgment, which

may lead to unwise decisions around sexual activity.

This can increase your risk for HIV/AIDS, other diseases, rape, and unplanned pregnancy.

Look around you. The vast majority of teens aren't

using cocaine. According to a 2002 study, less than 1

percent of teens are regular cocaine users. In fact, 97

percent of teens have never even tried cocaine.1

Know the Signs...

How can you tell if a friend is using cocaine? Sometimes it's tough to tell. But there are signs you can look

for. If your friend has one or more of the following

warning signs, he or she may be using cocaine or other

illicit drugs:

• Red, bloodshot eyes

• A runny nose or frequent sniffing

• A change in groups of friends

• Acting withdrawn, depressed, tired, or careless

about personal appearance

• Losing interest in school, family, or activities he or

she used to enjoy

• Frequently needing money

What can you do to help someone who is using

cocaine? Be a real friend. Save a life. Encourage your

friend to stop or seek professional help. For information and

referrals, call the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and

Drug Information at 800-729-6686.

Cocaine••••••

Get the Facts...

Cocaine affects your brain. The word "cocaine" refers

to the drug in both a powder (cocaine) and crystal

(crack) form. It is made from the coca plant and causes

a short-lived high that is immediately followed by

opposite, intense feelings of depression, edginess, and a

craving for more of the drug. Cocaine may be snorted

as a powder, converted to a liquid form for injection with

a needle, or processed into a crystal form to be smoked.

Cocaine affects your body. People who use cocaine

often don't eat or sleep regularly. They can experience

increased heart rate, muscle spasms, and convulsions. If

they snort cocaine, they can also permanently damage

their nasal tissue.

Cocaine affects your emotions. Using cocaine can

make you feel paranoid, angry, hostile, and anxious,

even when you're not high.

Cocaine is addictive. Cocaine interferes with the way

your brain processes chemicals that create feelings of

pleasure, so you need more and more of the drug just to

feel normal. People who become addicted to cocaine

start to lose interest in other areas of their life, like

school, friends, and sports.

Cocaine can kill you. Cocaine use can cause heart

attacks, seizures, strokes, and respiratory failure.

People who share needles can also contract hepatitis,

HIV/AIDS, or other diseases.

Before You Risk It...

Know the law. Cocaine—in any form—is illegal.

Stay informed. Even first-time cocaine users can have

seizures or fatal heart attacks.

Know the risks. Combining cocaine with other drugs

Revised in 2004

For more information, go to www.ncadi.samhsa.gov