Jessica Hogan We will explore the following: 1. Source and history of cocaine: Cocaine was first introduced in the early ninth century. It comes from the coca plant. Cocaine is both a stimulant and a suppressant, this means that you have a lot of happiness and a feeling of energy when you take the drug. It is said to be like a “stronger version of coffee.” It was found in the Andes Mountains of South America. At first cocaine was thought to have a lot of medical advantages, and treat certain diseases. (http://casapalmera.com/the-history-of-cocaine/) 2. Effects and chemical characteristics of the substance: Cocaine causes a euphoric feeling. It provides the user with lots of energy and awakens the brain making the user feel very alert. It brings up your mood and makes you feel like you are on the top of the world. Its molecular formula is C17H21NO4. (http://www.chemspider.com/Chemical-Structure.10194104.html) (http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/cocaine-use-and-its-effects) 3. Routes of administration Cocaine is typical administrated in three way. According to the statistics of the article “Cocaine: patterns of use, route of administration, and severity of dependence,” the results were that 40% of people prefer smoking the drug, 32% prefer intranasal, and 24% prefer injecting after a seven of 150 users was taken. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7921717) 4. Introduction of "Crack" and its relationship with race The drug war targeted the black community by making the price to pay for smoking crack much higher than the price to pay for getting caught taking cocaine. The only difference between the two was that crack was less expensive and more affordable to low income areas such as African American neighborhoods at the time. (http://academic.udayton.edu/race/03justice/crime09.htm) 5. A