Term Paper on "Cocaine and Crack"

Home > Topics > Drugs & Alcohol My Account

Term Paper 5 pages (1433 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Cocaine and Crack: Proletariat Hunger Killers or Genussmittels?

Cocaine and crack cocaine are generally discussed as two of the greatest scourges facing western civilization. Especially crack cocaine, which along with crystal meth, is a drug of choice for America's poor and underprivileged, is assigned much of the blame for the squalor and violence of today's inner city lives.

Our readings have made two bold statements, which both overlap and conflict with one another. However, both statements are incredibly helpful in understanding crack and cocaine's impact on American society, especially upon the poorer elements of American society.

Crack and cocaine have been termed "proletariat hunger killers," meaning the drugs are used by the public as a necessary food source. The drugs have also been called "genussmittels," or recreational drug, free of any valuable sustenance. Research on the biological, economic and emotional impacts of these drugs reveals that they are, indeed, a bit of both; but some facets of the two definitions conflict.

The drugs:

Cocaine, a powerfully reinforcing psychostimulant, is found in the leaves of the South American shrub erythroxylon coca. (www.cocaine.org)

The coca leaf itself has had a long history, appearing even in our kitchen-table Coca-Cola for a while, with cocaine as an element. (www.cocaine.org) in fact, the popular and seemingly beneficial an legal usage of the drug did not stop there: "Cocaine was soon sold over-the-counter. Until 1916, one could buy it at Harrods: a kit labelled "A Welcome Present for Friends at the Front" contained cocaine, morphin

Continue scrolling to

download full paper ⤓

e, syringes and spare needles." (www.cocaine.org)

Crack is cocaine that has not at all been neutralized by an acid to make the requisite hydrochloride salt. This form, not derivative, of cocaine comes in a rock crystal that can be heated and its vapors smoked. The nomenclature "crack" refers to the crackling sound heard when it is heated in a pipe. (http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofax/cocaine.html)

The effects:

Both drugs are considered among the most harmful by both drug experts and the authorities in the United States of America. The actual effects of cocaine and crack use include constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, and increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. (ibid)

The duration of cocaine's immediate euphoric effects, which include hyperstimulation, reduced fatigue, and mental clarity, depends on the route of administration. The faster the absorption, the more intense the high. On the other hand, the faster the absorption, the shorter the duration of action. The high from snorting may last 15 to 30 minutes, while that from smoking may last 5 to 10 minutes. Increased use can reduce the period of time a user feels high and increases the risk of addiction." (ibid)

Generally, users of the drugs will report restlessness and anxiety among many other "highs." They will generally respond to these feelings by entering depressions or simply increasing the dosages.

Impact and analysis:

There is a very close connection between cocaine and crack use and crime. This fits in with the definition "proletariat hunger killers." In a classic tale of chicken and egg, it is impossible to tell whether the crime resulted from drug use, or the drug use resulted from crime.

Here are some hard facts: "A close connection exists between crime and drug use. And it can be seen in researches, one such is the United States National Institute of Justice. They monitored drug use among recently arrested persons. Urine tests were conducted on males individuals that were charged with serious but non-drug-related offenses. With nearly 3,000 test, results were drug positive for cocaine in 76% of the arrestees in New York, 74% in Philadelphia, 65% in the district of Columbia. In smaller cities the % was below 30. The test they used detected drugs taken up to 2-3 day prior to the arrests, so drug use is probably higher than the results obtained. In this study one-fourth to three-fourth of the serious non-drug related offenders tested positive for cocaine, many tested positive for other drugs." (http://www.drugaddiction.ca/EnglishPage/Drug_addiction_Impact.htm)

This incredibly high rate of crime more directly reflects the proletariat hunger killer analogy: The inner city lower classes use cocaine, and especially crack, as their food, food that is much more relevant in an area rampant with crime. Where crack is both the end and the currency, it acts successfully as a substitute for food itself.

As for the… READ MORE

Download Full Paper

Write a New Paper for Me

Quoted Instructions for "Cocaine and Crack" Assignment:

“

In this class we have discussed stimulants and their ability to be either labeled as a“proletariat hunger killers” (which is a phrase meaning used by the public as a neccesary food source) and/or “genussmittels” (which means used as a recreational drug, free of any valuable sustinence). This 6 page paper must assess the readings on cocaine and crack and compare and contrast their relationship to these definitions. Furthermore pondering their utility for the coca byproducts. Please email me with any questions.

How to Reference "Cocaine and Crack" Term Paper in a Bibliography

“Cocaine and Crack.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2004, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/cocaine-crack-proletariat-hunger/305510. Accessed 5 Oct 2024.

Cocaine and Crack (2004). Retrieved from https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/cocaine-crack-proletariat-hunger/305510

A1-TermPaper.com. (2004). Cocaine and Crack. [online] Available at: https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/cocaine-crack-proletariat-hunger/305510 [Accessed 5 Oct, 2024].

”Cocaine and Crack” 2004. A1-TermPaper.com. https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/cocaine-crack-proletariat-hunger/305510.

”Cocaine and Crack” A1-TermPaper.com, Last modified 2024. https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/cocaine-crack-proletariat-hunger/305510.

[1] ”Cocaine and Crack”, A1-TermPaper.com, 2004. [Online]. Available: https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/cocaine-crack-proletariat-hunger/305510. [Accessed: 5-Oct-2024].

1. Cocaine and Crack [Internet]. A1-TermPaper.com. 2004 [cited 5 October 2024]. Available from: https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/cocaine-crack-proletariat-hunger/305510

1. Cocaine and Crack. A1-TermPaper.com. https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/cocaine-crack-proletariat-hunger/305510. Published 2004. Accessed October 5, 2024.

Related Term Papers: