Wandsworth Drug Action Team (DAT)

THE FACTS: Cocaine
Sometimes called: Snow, White Lady, Charlie, Coke, Powder.

What it looks like:
Comes as a white powder.

How it's used:
Usually sniffed (snorted up the nose) and sometimes injected.

The effects:
Like speed but stronger and doesn't last as long. Feeling alert and confident, feeling sick, and breathing problems. Feeling edgy, moody, irritable and anxious. Loss of appetite and panic attacks. Raises body temperature and makes the heart beat faster.

The risks:
Tremors, muscle twitching, craving can turn cocaine into an expensive habit. Damaged nose membranes and nose bleeds.  Damaged veins, HIV & Hepatitis (if it's injected). Heart attack.  Death if a large amount is taken. Accidents due to slowed reactions. Mixing cocaine with other drugs such as heroin (a speedball) is particularly dangerous.

The law:
Cocaine is classified as a Class A drug. Having or using Cocaine can lead to 7 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
Supplying Cocaine (which includes passing it on to a friend)is punishable by up to life imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Getting a criminal record can make it more difficult to travel abroad or get certain jobs.

For information, support, advice or someone to talk to about drugs, call: WDP (Wandsworth Drugs Project) on 07890 266394.

The Source on (020) 7498 6149 is a service for Crack and Cocaine users aged 17 or over.