Explain the different preparations of cocaine and how they are used.

Cocaine Preparations - Coca leaves - - > Coca Paste (60% pure) : Not water soluble, so you can't inject it into the bloodstream - - you need an additional chemical step to turn the paste into crystal powder that can be injected or snorted - Coca - - > Cocaine Hydrochloride (99% pure) : Doesn't hold up very well to heat, so you can't smoke cocaine hydrochloride - Cocaine Hydrochloride (99% pure) - - > Free-Base Cocaine or Crack Cocaine: - Reconvert cocaine hydrochloride back to base state by removing hydrochloride from cocaine (that's why it's called free-base cocaine) - Crack cocaine is a crystallized form, mixture of cocaine and baking soda - 75% pure - Can be used at lower doses and is much cheaper than cocaine - Can be smoked