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Presented to you today by:

•Ashley Cain

•Carolyn Lacy

•Julie Owen

•Robynn Seadler

•Laura Stump

What is crack cocaine? Definition: Crack cocaine is a highly

addictive and powerful stimulant that is derived from powdered cocaine using a simple conversion process (Cocaine Fast Facts, 2006).

“Crack emerged as a drug of abuse in the mid-1980s. It is abused because it produces an immediate high and because it is easy and inexpensive to produce--rendering it readily available and affordable” (Cocaine Fast Facts, 2006).

What does it look like?

•Crack typically is available as rocks. Crack rocks are white (or off-white) and vary in size and shape (Cocaine Fast Facts, 2006).

Who uses crack? • “Individuals of all ages use crack

cocaine--data reported in the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse indicate that an estimated 6,222,000 U.S. residents aged 12 and older used crack at least once in their lifetime. The survey also revealed that hundreds of thousands of teenagers and young adults use crack cocaine--150,000 individuals aged 12 to 17 and 1,003,000 individuals aged 18 to 25 used the drug at least once” (Cocaine Fast Facts, 2006).

Who uses crack? • “Crack cocaine use among high

school students is a particular problem. Nearly 4 percent of high school seniors in the United States used the drug at least once in their lifetime, and more than 1 percent used the drug in the past month, according to the University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future Survey” (Cocaine Fast Facts, 2006).

Street Terms for Crack Cocaine24-7BadrockBeatBlancaCandyChemicalCloudCocaCokeCookiesCrackCrumbsCrunch & munch Devil drugDiceElectric kool-aidFat bagsFrench friesGloGravelGritHail

Hard ballHard rockHotcakesIce cubeJelly beansNieveNuggetsPastePiecePericoPrime time ProductRawRock(s)ScrabbleSleetSoda cotSnow cokeTornadoTroop (Cocaine Fast Facts, 2006)

Why Educate? •“Cocaine, in any form, is a powerfully addictive drug, and addiction seems to develop more quickly when the drug is smoked--as crack is--than snorted--as powdered cocaine typically is”

(Cocaine Fast Facts, 2006).

Why Educate?• In addition to the usual risks associated

with cocaine use are: • Constricted blood vessels• Increased temperature• Increased heart rate• Increased blood pressure• Risk of cardiac arrest and seizure• Acute respiratory problems• Coughing• Shortness of breath• Lung trauma and bleeding • Aggressive behavior• Paranoid behavior(Cocaine Fast Facts, 2006).

What is Crack?• Crack cocaine is a highly addictive

and potent stimulant derived from powdered cocaine.

• It is abused because it produces an immediate high and because it is easy and inexpensive to produce, rendering it readily available and affordable.

CRACK• Do you know what crack looks like?

• Crack cocaine usually is available as white or off-white rocks that vary in size and shape.

How Crack is Made• Crack is produced by dissolving

powdered cocaine in a mixture of water and ammonia or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). The mixture is boiled until a solid substance forms. The solid is removed from the liquid, dried, and then broken into the chunks (rocks) that are sold as crack cocaine.

What will happen if YOU

use crack?

EFFECTS• Increased alertness

• Excitation

• Euphoria (followed by a crash)

• Increased blood pressure & pulse rate

• Insomnia

• Loss of appetite

DANGEROUS EFFECTS• Agitation

• Increased body temperature

• Hallucinations

• Convulsions

• Death

Being involved with drugs is a lot like playing Russian Roulette. So little is under your control. Hanging with friends who do drugs. Driving with someone who is high. Depending on people who put drugs ahead of their families and friends. And then there's you---making a decision to use. The first time it's a choice. After that, it may not be. And sometimes it's hard to know the total consequences of your choice---until it's too late.

You might think "not me." Not my body, not my friends, not

my life. Think twice.

KNOW THE FACTSAccording to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, they

indicate “that an estimated 6,222,000 U.S. residents aged 12 and older used crack at least once in their lifetime”

“When 13- to 18-year-olds were asked to name the biggest problem facing young people today, drug use led the list. In 1987, 54 percent of teens cited drugs as their greatest concern--up from 27 percent only 10

years earlier.” (http://schools_without_drugs.html)High school reported crack use indicates from 2003; there consistently

is an incline of students using the drug itself.

HEADLINES REVEAL ‘CRACK AT SCHOOL

• According to ABCnews.com. (April 12, 2006) – “Toledo Police say a third grader brought crack cocaine to school and gave it to another student.”

• “Police: Principal Bought Crack at School!” (WLTX.com)

• “7-Year-Old Boy Brings Crack Cocaine to School. A 7-year-old boy has been arrested for bringing 20 rocks of crack cocaine to school.” The New York Times – Archives. (Nov. 1, 1998)

CRACK IS……….

• High potential for abuse; means willing to give up everything you have to support your habit (Sell your most prized possessions to get the money to pay for it)

• Physically addictive; therefore relapse rates are extremely high

• Schedule II illegal substance drug• Creates feelings of anxiety, depression,

nervousness, paranoia and low self-worth• Highly prosecutable• Increases violence in individuals• Cheap, this is why age group 6-8 graders are

susceptible • Will produce serious physical and emotional short

and long-term side affects• CRACK IS DEADLY

SOCIETAL IMPACT

Crack makes people violent and produces “aggressive paranoid behavior,” such as hallucinations and delusions

Due to the cause of serious mental disorders, individuals whom take crack are unable to control their behavior and lash out

Crack contributes to an increase in gang related activity, violent crimes such as murders, and prostitution

KNOW THE LAW

• (Average sentencing in months by drug category)

• Crack is obviously illegal• Due to its violent side effects in nature, its

sentencing is the harshest of all drugs

Do you know if your friends are using

crack?

Let’s take a look at 5 WARNING signs that may tell you something is not right with your friend…..

Do they worry about where they can get more? Do

they think they “NEED” more

Is your friend acting really depressed? You

know…..like he or she could care less about what is going on around them?

•Has your friend lost interest in eating and has had the energy zapped out of them?

Do they have trouble sleeping at night, or

maybe tell you they have been up all night---

all the time?

What to expect of your Parents

• To listen carefully

• To teach you how to say “NO”

• To encourage choice

• To provide you with information

• To discuss the family position on drugs

• To set a good example

• To tell you what makes a good friend

• To help you build self esteem

Don’t think you can talk to your parents?• HELP IS A PHONE CALL AWAY

1-800-COCAINE

24 hours/day

confidential

4 FUNCTIONS OF 1-800-COCAINE

• To answer your questions

• To provide FACTS

• To provide local treatment referrals

• To teach about effects of cocaine

KEEP IT REAL• REFUSE-just say NO

• EXPLAIN-”I don’t want to, it makes me sick”

• AVOID-plan on how to avoid

• LEAVE-or suggest a drug free activity

Stereotypes surrounding why young people use crack

• Found in poor inner city urban communities.

• Wide spread epidemic among African American and Latino’s in impoverished communities.

• Young people between the ages 18-29 uses crack cocaine.

Stereotypes Cont.• Creates homosexual and deviant

sexual behaviors.

• You can only find “Rocks” in the ghetto!

Rebuttals on StereotypesCrack cocaine is not only found in poor inner city urban

communities, but has became a nationwide epidemic. Crack can be found in a lot of your middle to upper class communities as well. Crack has dramatically lowered the cost of the "cocaine high." On the streets it became known as the cheaper and better high! Thus, making it highly addicting. Young people are not the only one’s getting high. In fact there are many older adults addicted to smoking crack than we could imagine.

Crack is destroying lives at an alarming rate, the question is

“what are we going to do about it!”

Suggestions for saying “NO”• Saying “No” to your friends can be very hard sometimes. You may be

afraid of what they’ll think of you if you don’t go along with them. Here’s a good way to say “No and still be cool.

• Say what the problem is (that’s mean or “That’s Illegal etc..)• Say what the consequences are• Suggesting to do something instead of what is presently planned.• If your friend insist on doing it anyway, leave but leave the door open for

them to change their minds and join you.

Sometimes you can make it easier on yourself by preparing in advance for possible pressure situations. Here are some things you can do ahead of time:

1. Think ahead possible problems.

2. Decide in advance what you intend to do.

3. Think of some good ways to handle the

situation, if it arises, and some good ways

to avoid it altogether.

Preventive Measures

•

Kids are Doing a Lot More Than You Think, and at an Earlier AgeRecent studies show that the average child begins to drink and smoke cigarettes at age 13! This means that about half begin younger than that. Parents are rarely aware of this until their kids are several years older. By then the kids have begun other, even more dangerous activities such as drug use and underage sexual activity.Science tells us that the key to understanding drug addiction lies in the recognition that kids are indulging in adult activities much younger and to a much larger degree than their parents realize.

Preventative Measures Cont.• Knowledge is power.

• Education and information is the key!

Teaching children at earlier stages of young adulthood can result in a Higher rate of success when it comes to saying no to drugs!

Consequences of doing drugs: • “Consequences of teen drug use,

frequently mentioned legal (arrests, violence, criminal activity) and health (emergency room visits, pregnancy, suicides) problems as well as poor family or social relationships.

• The most commonly reported consequence, however, was poor school performance comprising truancy, cheating, poor grades, disciplinary problems, and expulsions or dropouts” (NDIC, 2002).

Conclusion:• When children are small, their minds are

like sponges, they take in everything and actually listen and learn.

• When they become teenagers is when they began to rebel and place barriers between them, their parents and other adults.

• It would be too late to start teaching them as teens.

• We need to start teaching them the recognition of drugs, what drugs can do to the body, how to avoid peer pressure, what true friendship is, organizations for support, which diseases are related to drug use and how it can eventually isolate the person and cause trouble in their life.

REFERENCES• http://www.aegis.org/news/ads/1994/AD942143.html • http://www.drugtext.org/library/articles/craig2.html • http://www.goodcharacter.com/BCBC/SayingNo.html • http://www.johncflemingmd.com/?gclid=CNTyisPFoIwCFRGCGgodqTFW6g•  http://www.clearhavencenter.com/substance-abuse-treatment-resources/signs-of-Crack-use.php• http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/Drugs%20and%20Alcohol/fcrack.htm#Who%20Uses• http://www.adolescent-substance-abuse.com/signs-cocaine.html• https://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/

healthatoz/Atoz/dc/cen/ment/drug/alert08242000.jsp• http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/photo_library1.html• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cocaine.html • http://www.dea.gov/