Cocaine

Also known as

• Crack, Coke and Snow.

Description

• Cocaine is derived from the leaves of the Erthroxylum coca. In its pure form, Cocaine is a white crystalline powder and it is either sniffed in powder form or injected into the body in liquid form.

• Cocaine is both a central nervous system stimulant and an anaesthetic. The chronic Cocaine abuser is socially dangerous because of the mental abnormalities caused by the drug.

Effects and dangers

• Increased heart rate

• Aggressive behaviour

• Irritability

• Nausea, shaking, blurred vision and hallucination

Withdrawal symptoms

• Anxiety, depression, anger and jittery feelings

• Fatigue (extreme tiredness)

• Nausea and vomiting

• Loss of desire to do things

Penalties

Possession of Cocaine:

• Less than 20 grammes – Up to a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment or a fine of $20,000 or both

• Between 20 grammes and 30 grammes – At least 10 years of imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment and 10 strokes of the cane

• More than 30 grammes – At least 20 years of imprisonment and 10 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 30 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane

Consumption of Cocaine:

• At least 1 year of imprisonment, up to a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment with a maximum fine of $20,000

Illegal traffic, import or export of Cocaine:

• Less than 20 grammes – At least 5 years of imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane

• Between 20 grammes and 30 grammes – At least 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 30 years of imprisonment or imprisonment for life and 15 strokes of the cane

• More than 30 grammes – May face the death penalty