Cocaine poses a threat to Utah, particularly because of the violence associated with the distribution and abuse of the drug. Powdered cocaine is distributed in both wholesale and retail quantities and is available throughout the state. Crack cocaine is available only in retail quantities and only in metropolitan areas. Mexican criminal groups transport powdered cocaine into the state and serve as wholesale, midlevel, and retail distributors. At the retail level street gangs and Caucasian and Mexican local independent dealers distribute powdered cocaine. Some street gangs also convert powdered cocaine into crack and distribute the drug at the wholesale and retail levels.
Cocaine abuse remains a concern in Utah. Data from the Utah Division of Substance Abuse indicate that the number of cocaine-related treatment admissions to publicly funded facilities decreased from 2,238 in FY1997 to 1,657 in FY1998, then remained relatively stable through FY2001 when 1,620 admissions were reported. (Treatment data provided by the Division of Substance Abuse do not distinguish between powdered and crack cocaine.)
The rate of cocaine abuse in Utah is comparable to the national rate, and most cocaine abusers in Utah are young adults. According to the 1999 and 2000 NHSDA, the percentage of Utah residents (1.5%) who reported having abused cocaine at least once in the year prior to the survey was comparable to the percentage nationwide (1.6%). Individuals 18 to 25 years of age in Utah reported the highest rate (3.4%) of past year cocaine abuse.
The federal government has identified the stimulant cocaine as being high risk for dependency and addiction. Since cocaine is a stimulant, it heightens the senses when taken. Cocaine is abused in three ways: smoking, injecting and snorting—the most popular method.
Why is cocaine so addictive? It’s primarily because of how the brain processes chemicals with the presence of the drug. It follows as such:
Cocaine can be called by its street names, including coke, powder, sugar, snow, blow, candy, cola, or lady.
According to the Addiction Center, cocaine is highly addictive and can damage organs, provoke mental disorders, and cause respiratory failure. Here are some distributing facts:
Symptoms associated with someone abusing cocaine include hyperactivity, loss of inhibition, unrestrained enthusiasm, quick to agitate, uncontrolled muscle tics, increased nose bleeds or runny nose, noticeable personality changes from anxiety and paranoia, irritability, and more.
Continually using cocaine results in addiction; the more it’s abused, the higher likelihood of a higher tolerance to the drug. This means, an addict needs more to get the same effect. If abused enough, health problems ensue.
Cocaine addiction is difficult to overcome without the help of a drug remand program.
The short-time effects of cocaine abuse include the following: increased and/or irregular heart rate, decreased need for sleep and appetite, and euphoria, and reckless behavior. The long-term effects are paranoia, memory loss, hallucinations, weight loss, violent outbursts, aggressive behavior, depression and anxiety, severe dental issues, and massive alterations to the brain’s chemistry.
Cocaine abuse frequently leads to heart problems, with brain effects of seizures, strokes, and even comas. Cocaine addicts have intensified cravings and a high tendency of relapse. Long-term abuse affects the dopamine system and damages it; these high levels of toxicity can result in developing psychological complications. Anxiety and paranoia, along with violent behaviors, increase with cocaine abuse.
Damage to the body results in nasal cavities and lung irritations; olfactory sensors in the nasal passages are affected, leading to the loss of the sense of smells. Intestinal and bowel problems and even gangrene in the digestive tract are greatly affected by cocaine abuse. Brain chemistry changes can also lead to new-onset Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. (ADHD)
When an addict stops the drug, withdrawal symptoms begin, which can range from fatigue, depression, and restlessness, to increased appetite and intense cravings.
Usually, with stimulant withdrawal, there are not the typical physical symptoms associated with drug and alcohol withdrawal (the shakes, hallucinations, vomiting, hot/cold flashes). Without proper help, cocaine addiction can be fatal. A high risk of overdose is common.
Addiction treatment includes a comprehensive therapeutic program, coupled with long-term lifestyle changes.
