Glendale Cocaine Abuse - President Obama Seeks to End Crack/Cocaine Sentence Disparity

Glendale Cocaine Abuse - President Obama has asked Congress to revisit the existing sentencing disparity between cocaine powder and crack cocaine. The current law provides much stiffer penalties for those who abuse and sell crack cocaine.

The existing sentencing disparity was created by the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act. Under current law, someone caught selling 5 grams of crack cocaine would receive a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.

By contrast, someone would have to sell 500 grams of powder cocaine to receive the same sentence. Experts believe the existing laws unfairly discrimnate against the poor and African-Americans, who tend to use crack cocaine over the powder form.

President Obama has asked Congress to raise the amount of crack cocaine necessary to trigger a mandatory minimum sentence of five years. He is supported by over a dozen advocacy groups who have also petitioned Congress.

Gilbert Cocaine Abuse - Brief History of Cocaine

Gilbert Cocaine Abuse - In the late 1800s, cocaine was isolated from the leaf of the coca plant. Soon after, cocaine became a popular ingredient in certain medications and products.

After concern grew over cases of addiction, death, and psychosis in users of the substance, the Pure Food & Drug Act of 1906 was passed to help combat some of these problems. Eventually, the 1914 Harrison Act outlawed the over-the-counter use of cocaine and opiates.

Cocaine's popularity immediately diminished, though doctors continued to use it as a local anesthetic. By the 1960s, however, cocaine had reemerged as a wildly popular drug of abuse.

Today, cocaine sells for about $100 per gram and remains popular with middle- and upper-class drug users. Additionally, cocaine is one of the most commonly implicated drugs in emergency room visits.

Mesa Cocaine Abuse - Facts about Methods of Use

Mesa Cocaine Abuse - Cocaine comes in two forms: freebase and hydrochloride salt. The salt form is soluble in water.

Addicts who inject the drug dissolve the salt form of cocaine in water and then inject it into their veins. This method is called "slamming" or "mainlining" cocaine.

The freebase form of cocaine, called crack, is smoked in a pipe. Smoking crack cocaine results in the rapid absorption of the drug into the bloodstream, causing an intense and short-lived high.

Cocaine may also be taken intranasally by snorting the powder. Users who snort the drug usually experience a slower and longer-lasting high than those who smoke or inject the drug.

Tempe Cocaine Abuse - Wealthy Cocaine Addict Believed Sexual Assault Victim Was a Spy

Tempe Cocaine Abuse - Wealthy entrepreneur and cocaine addict David Atherton sexually assaulted and attempted to rape a woman because he believed she was a spy for the police. Atherton is now on trial for his crimes.

After years of heavy cocaine use, Atherton had become violently paranoid. He believed that secret passages existed in the walls of his home and that his victim, a mother of two, was sent by the authorities.

"As his addiction increased, so did his paranoia," prosecutor James Goss explained in court. "He believed that the woman was working for the 'bent police'."

The attack on the woman was captured on Atherton's home security cameras. Atherton assaulted the woman and then allegedly threatened to drown her in his swimming pool.

Phoenix Cocaine Abuse - Scientists Discover New Way to Combat Cocaine Dependence

Phoenix Cocaine Abuse - Pharmacological scientists may have found a new way to battle cocaine addiction.

A new study out of UC Irvine reports that when a hormone associated with hunger regulation is blocked, cocaine cravings are also reduced. The findings of the research could mean a new and effective method of treating cocaine dependence.

The hormone, called melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), works with dopamine in the pleasure center of the brain to induce cocaine cravings. When researchers blocked MCH, cravings were limited.

"We believe that efforts to target MCH may lead to new treatments to break addiction to cocaine and, possibly, other drugs, like amphetamines and nicotine," explained Dr. Olivier Civelli, a professor of neuropharmacology.

Arizona Cocaine Abuse - Signs of Cocaine Addiction

Arizona Cocaine Abuse - Learning how to spot the symptoms of cocaine addiction can help you get a loved one help before it's too late. This post will explain several of the most common signs of cocaine abuse.

Cocaine users often manifest extreme mood swings. Addicts may vacillate between manic euphoria and despondency.

In addition, addicts will usually experience drastic weight loss and may also have frequent nosebleeds. Red eyes and incessant sniffing are also signs of cocaine abuse.

When high, cocaine users may sweat excessively and have very dilated pupils. They may also have sores on their skin from picking at hallucinated bugs or objects while high.

Apache Junction Cocaine Rehab - The Four Stages of Recovery

Apache Junction Cocaine Rehab - Any proper drug or alcohol recovery program should have four steps: an intervention, detox, rehab, and sober living.

The first stage of the process involves confronting the cocaine addict in a caring way to highlight the need for treatment. Next, the user should enter some kind of medically supervised detoxification program.

Once detox has been completed, the addict should enter either an inpatient or outpatient drug rehabilitation facility. Cocaine rehab can last anywhere from 30-90 days.

After completing rehab, the addict will enter a sober living program. This is a transitional time during which the addict participates in a continuing care program to keep learning the life skills requisite to maintain sobriety.

Maricopa Cocaine Rehab - Adverse Health Effects of Cocaine

Maricopa Cocaine Rehab - Cocaine causes a plethora of adverse health effects in users. Regular cocaine use can lead to serious physiological and psychological damage.

Arguably the most damaging consequence of cocaine abuse is its effect on the cardiovascular system. Cocaine elevates heart rate and blood pressure, which drastically increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Psychologically, cocaine can induce symptoms that are virtually indistinguishable from those of paranoid schizophrenia. Users often experience hallucinations, paranoia, and other bizarre behavior.

For those who snort the drug, nose bleeds, nasal ulcers, and the loss of the sense of smell are frequent side effects. For those who inject the drug, there is an increased risk of contracting HIV and other blood-borne illnesses.