Drugs A to Z

Crack

aka: Rock, freebase, wash, gravel, stones, Charlie, washed-up, pebbles

What is it?

Crack is a smokeable form of cocaine. It is a stimulant and is psychologically addictive. It comes in small crystals the size of raisins. It's called crack, because it makes a sound when it’s being burnt.

How is it used?

Crack is usually smoked. It is heated by using a pipe, tube, a dented can or foil and the vapour/fumes inhaled. Crack can also be injected.

What are the effects?

• Very powerful feelings very much like cocaine but much stronger.
• Happiness.
• You feel strong and not worried about pain.
• The effects are immediate.
• You feel alive, awake confident and exhilarated.
• You get a dry mouth, you sweat and your heart rate increases.

The feelings are very short lived usually lasting about 10 minutes, and then you can experience a come down which may make you crave more Crack.

• Low doses may heighten your sexual pleasure, but high doses lower it.
• The come down can make you feel paranoid, tired, depressed and sick.
• The come down lasts much longer than the high, and low feelings can last a couple of days.

What are the risks?

• You could get a cough and have wheezy breathing and chest pains. As with smoking, it damages your lungs.
• You can overdose on crack. High doses can raise the body’s temperature, cause convulsions and respiratory arrest.
• If you use long term and frequently, you can become restless, you can’t sleep and you lose weight.
• As the effects of crack and cocaine last such a short period of time it can result in a person binge using which can become very expensive.
• If you use a lot, you may have a seizure or a fit.
• You can lose your sexual desire, if you use frequently or are a heavy user.

Injecting

If you are injecting, there is a greater risk of overdosing and injecting brings on many other problems, e.g. vein damage, ulcers and gangrene. If you use dirty needles, you are at risk from HIV and Hepatitis. Use needle exchanges to get clean needles, phone GDAS on 01452 381166 to find your local needle exchange.

How much is it?

A rock costs about £15 - £20, although slithers can be bought cheaper.

Crack is a Class A substance

The Law

Staying Safe

1. Try to avoid regular use.
2. Keep a record of the amounts you take and the costs.
3. Snorting Cocaine is possibly less damaging than smoking Crack.
4. Try to maintain regular sleep and diet patterns.
5. Allow time to recover from each session of use. Have a rest for a day or two.
6. Avoid injecting, but if you do inject, take care not to share injecting equipment. If you need to, use a needle exchange scheme to get your own equipment.
7. Do not mix Crack with the other drugs (especially heroin and other depressants).