COCAINE WORKS ON THE BRAIN'S REWARD PATHWAYS

"No one makes a career decision to become an alcoholic or a drug
addict."

But with one in three people affected by drug use, drugs and alcohol
abuse is prevalent in our community, said Pat Kelley of AADAC. People
are used to seeing socially acceptable drugs used, such as coffee, tea
and alcohol, but many people do not realize the danger illegal street
drugs pose.

"Street drugs are very risky. You don't know what you are purchasing
when you buy a street drug," said Kelly.

"You don't know what you are getting. They don't come with a label
listing ingredients.

"Two-thirds of the drugs kids and adults buy on the street weren't
what they expected."

Cocaine, a powerful drug derived from the South American coca bush, is
sold as a fine white powder.

It is often cut or filled with products, such as baking powder, sugar,
baby powder or painkillers like benzocaine, so the dealer can stretch
his supply, she said.

The dilution doesn't reduce the addictive effects of the drug, which
users often snort or dissolve in water and inject.

Another form of cocaine is crack which is chemically changed in a lab
so it can be smoked.

Freebase is a pure form of cocaine that can be smoked. Some crack and
freebase users inhale the vapors from heated glass pipes. Others add
them to tobacco or marijuana cigarettes.

Cocaine works on the brain's reward pathways, making users feel an
incredible euphoria or an extreme high.

Cocaine users feel incredibly successful, desirable, energetic and
powerful while the drug is in their system.

"Crack cocaine is so addictive that people continue to use until the
whole supply is gone. Very addicted people will go to unusual lengths
to get more -- B & Es, theft," said Kelley.

"The flip side is cocaine withdrawal, which is like a bank loan that
needs to be repaid. You have incredible energy, but when they quit the
substance, they bottom out or get very depressed."

Often someone on cocaine has gone without sleep or food for some time,
causing them to sleep for days and be extremely hungry afterwards.

Unlike other substances, the recovery can take months rather than a
few days.

Signs to watch for include changes in school or work performance,
changes in attitude toward activities, a difference in weight or
appearance, eating or sleeping habits and behaviour. No one sign alone
indicates possible drug use, but two or three should send up a red
flag, said Kelley.

The public, parents, anyone who may be concerned about a family member
has an opportunity to become better educated about drugs at a public
forum at 7 p.m., Nov. 27, at Queen Elizabeth Junior High School.

"Just because they come to that meeting doesn't mean they are parents
of an addict," said Kelly.

"They should come to become informed and get some tools, learn how to
communicate with their sons and daughters."