Crack cocaine

A particularly addictive form of the drug cocaine that can be smoked to produce an intense, short-lasting state of euphoria or “high.” The most potent stimulant of natural origin, cocaine comes from the leaves of the coca plant [Erythroxylon coca], which is found in the Andean highlands of South America. The leaves are cooked into a coca paste, which is then processed into a powder form, usually cocaine hydrochloride. Processing cocaine hydrochloride with ammonia or baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and water, then heating the mixture to remove the hydrochloride yields crack cocaine. The end product is a form of cocaine that can be smoked. Crack cocaine, so named because of the cracking sound made by the baking soda when the drug is heated, is also called rock cocaine because of its stone-like appearance.


 


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