What is cocaine and crack? Cocaine is a stimulant-type drug, similar to speed. Cocaine is also known as coke, charlie, draw, flake or snow. Cocaine is a white powder derived from the leaf of the coca plant that grows up in the mountains of South America. Crack named for its ‘crackle’ sound when heated is a form of cocaine. Crack has been treated with chemicals to allow it to be more easily smoked. Crack is also known as pebbles, rock, stone and wash. Until recently the expense and rarity of cocaine meant it was regarded as a drug that was only available for the rich. However, cheaper prices and a wider availability means that cocaine has now become more common. Until 1903, Coca-Cola contained small amounts of cocaine. Today, Coca-Cola still contains an extract of coca-leaves, though nowadays the leaves are used only for flavouring since the drug has been removed. Cocaine has also been widely used as a local anaesthetic, and is still sometimes used in surgery.
What does cocaine and crack look like? Cocaine comes as a white powder. Cocaine is expensive so may be mixed with anything else that is white and powdery, so that the drug dealers can make a bigger profit. Crack (or rock cocaine) comes in the form of small white crystals or rocks about the size of raisins.
How is cocaine and crack taken? Cocaine may be snorted, injected or smoked. Crack is usually smoked in a pipe. Home made pipes are likely to be found at street level made from soft drink cans or aluminium foil.
What are the immediate effects of taking cocaine and crack? Cocaine will give you a confidence buzz for about 30 minutes, leaving you craving more. Cocaine and crack both produce feelings of well-being, alertness, reduced appetite and physical strength. If cocaine is injected the effects come on within minutes, starting with a very intense rush. If smoked as crack the buzz comes on in seconds and is very intense but only last a few minutes, which makes it more addictive. The immediate after effects of cocaine and crack can be very unpleasant and include depression, anxiety and paranoia. If you inject cocaine, the dose reaches the brain almost immediately, increasing the possibility of overdose. If you inject cocaine with a needle that has already been used, you run the risk of catching diseases such as H.I.V..
What are the long-term effects of taking cocaine and crack? Cocaine and crack are addictive and once you start it can be very hard to stop. You won’t get withdrawal symptoms when you stop but, it will produce a strong psychological dependence, which means it’s on your mind all the time. It is possible to overdose on cocaine and constant regular use can lead to a seizure, stroke or a heart attack. Snorting cocaine may permanently damage the membranes lining the nose and the structure separating the nostrils. Smoking crack may damage your lungs, give you breathing problems or cause your heart to fail. High spending on cocaine is often associated with debt and violence.
What class drug is cocaine and crack? Cocaine is a class A drug and if you are caught in possession with the intent to supply, you could face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
When should I do the test?
This test can be carried out at any time.
To perform the test:
1. Carefully remove the cassette from the foil pouch (do not break the seal on the foil pouch until you are ready to begin the test).
2. Using a clean container, obtain a urine sample from the individual who is being tested.
3. Pull the protective cap off the bottom of the test to reveal the absorbent testing strip. Do not touch the strip and do not throw away the protective cap.
4. Carefully dip the testing strip into the urine sample, ensuring that the urine does not come into contact with the plastic case of the test. Allow the test to absorb the urine for about 10-15 seconds. You will begin to see urine moving up the strip.
5. After 15 seconds, remove the test from the urine and replace the protective cap.
6. Lay the test on a clean flat surface while the test lines develop.
7. You can read negative results as soon as they appear but positive results must be read at least 5 minutes after removing from urine. All results should be read within 10 minutes otherwise a false reading may occur.
Results
You will see 2 letters on the drugs cassette next to the test strip, 'C' this is the Control band and 'T' this is the Test band.
A pink coloured line should appear on the strip of the control band (C), this confirms that the test is working properly. If no line appears in the control band the cassette hasn't worked properly and you may need to do a further test.
A second pink coloured line, no matter how faint should now appear in the test band (T), this is a negative result. If no further line appears in the test band (T) then the individual has tested positive for that drug of abuse.
The amount of time drugs stay in your body depends on many factors such as, the amount of the drug taken, its strength, purity, your body weight and rate of metabolism and whether you are a casual user or a long term user.
Accurate results in the privacy of your own home.
We will package the test in discreet, unmarked packaging.
- Our drug test sensitivities comply with the The European Workplace Drug Testing Society (EWDTS) guidelines.