INTERVENTION THE KEY TO DECREASE IN USE OF COCAINE

What do Sigmund Freud, Sherlock Holmes and William Shakespeare have in
common?

They have all used cocaine.

It was a different time then and people didn't know much about the
drug, but today plenty is known.

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that makes the user feel confident,
out going and ready for anything, but the comedown is just the opposite.

Detective Sergeant of the Niagara Regional Police (NRP) of Welland,
Dave Sawyer says the majority of users already had depression problems
to begin with and the drugs only make it worse.

"There is always going to be depression problems if you are doing
cocaine to enhance a feeling about feeling good about yourself," he
says. He says many users are not necessarily the centre of attention.
They are more withdrawn and less out going than others are, but when
high on cocaine they are loose and lively.

Most users of cocaine or crack, which is the same as cocaine just
condensed, start as recreational user. Then, they will decide to stop
using or not. Mr. Sawyer says most will keep using because of the
"incredible" feeling well-being it gives. After time, the user becomes
more and more addicted both mentally and physically.

Dealers know how vulnerable teens can be, they will market drugs to
them by using miniature baggies with colourful pictures on them, and
peer pressure does the rest. Even such drugs as Ecstasy or Crystal
Method are aimed towards teens because of the stamps on them. Teens
think it is cool and will easily take the drug.

Once a user is "hooked", he or she will do anything to get a "hit."
Items from the home such as CD's or jewelry may disappear for selling.

Ways of identifying a user is frequent mood swings, weight lose and
lack of sleep.

"A lot of kids are employed and you'll notice the majority of their
paycheck is already spent," says Mr. Sawyer, adding that they have
nothing to show for it.

Ways to help prevent a teen from using crack or cocaine is being
active in their life.

"It is pretty easy to forget what's going on with the kids at home
because you're running a house, two people are working and there is
other siblings in the house," says Mr. Sawyer.

Some teens may feel neglected and turn to drugs for the attention.

Parents can checkup on their kids. Look for rolling papers, visine eye
drops, missing spoons and butter knives, needles, rubber bands and so
on. If one of these is found chances are more will be.

"If you are going to experiment with marijuana, chances are you are
going to experiment with other drugs," says Mr. Sawyer.

Cocaine keeps the body up all night. The adrenaline keeps the user
going sometimes for days at a time depending on how much is used.
Teens will make up excuses to stay out all night by saying they are
staying at a friend's house. This is common for teens, but the
question is what is really happening?

"Parents say it is just part of growing up," says Mr. Sawyer, but not
abiding by the rules, being distant and moody are signs of a drug user.

"It could very well be the teen," he says, it is the parents
responsibility to find out.

With teens developing and going through puberty, adding drugs to the
physiological imbalances will intensify any mood.

"You need family interaction," says Mr. Sawyer. Your kid may have good
grades and is well behaved, "but then all of sudden your child has
been arrested and you are shocked."

He says parents who are inactive with their children only know what
they tell them.

"You're the supervisor and you have to make sure your kid is pulling
the line." He says.

In order to help someone with a drug problem, local high schools,
police stations, doctors and child and family services are the best
options.

"You can't kick a habit like this without professional help," says
Detective Constable of the NRP of Welland, Debbie Bell.

"Canada is a rich country when it comes down to counseling and
addictions," says Mr. Sawyer.

He says there are drug dealers in our neighborhoods and the community
needs to be more involved.

"It has to be a two way relationship. The community is our eyes and
ears out there."

He suggests people come into the police station or call and make
reports anonymously or not because when the police enter an area where
drugs are, being dealt it stops until they are gone, but the
neighbours see more.

Cocaine is an alkaloid found in the leaves of the Erythroxylon cocoa
plant in South America. It provides a sense of exhilaration by
blocking the reuptake of the neurotransmitter, dopamine, in the midbrain.

Baking soda is often used to free the cocaine base from the cocaine
hydrochloride, what you have left is Crack.

Crack is a less pure form of freebase cocaine than using ammonia and
ether. Using the ammonia method to free the cocaine base takes more
time and is more dangerous, but the result is more pure.

Both forms of the drug are called freebase cocaine, but only the
baking soda method is called crack.