"Cocaine and crack are among the most addictive substances known to modern science, and they have already ruined the lives of millions of Americans" (Morganthau and Miller, 208 ). Cocaine and crack are two dangerous and harmful drugs. Although these drugs may provide pleasurable effects, the use of crack and cocaine is not worth the real toll that is inflicted on the mind and body. The bad effects of these drugs far outweigh the good ones. Because crack and cocaine are so closely related, it is important to fully understand both drugs. Cocaine (coke) is made from the Erythroxylon coca plant, a coca plant that grows high in the Andes Mountains of South America. The goal of coca growers is to pick and process the leaves into a paste from which cocaine is extracted (Edwards, 64). These Indians from Bolivia and Peru chew coca leaves to obtain a mild stimulation, which helps combat fatigue caused by the high altitudes at which they work. Chewing the leaves does not appear to harm users, as the stimulating chemical extracted from them is in very small amounts. They stop chewing coca leaves when they come down from high altitudes because they no longer need them (Edwards, 63). Cocaine is known as the most powerful drug (Mickey, 2). It is an odorless powder, sometimes crystalline, sometimes white and fluffy. Pure cocaine hydrochloride is so powerful that a dose of one gram is fatal. Because very small amounts of cocaine cause euphoria, drug dealers "cut" pure cocaine powder with adulterants such as mannite, dextrose, lactose, tartaric acid, and sodium bicarbonate (Edwards , 65 years old). From cocaine comes crack, a very powerful drug. this is about 75...... middle of paper ......t?"Works CitedBeschner, George and Alfred S. Friedman. Teen Drug Use. Lexington, Massachusetts: DC Health and Company, 1986.Edwards, Gabrielle I. Dealing with Drug Abuse New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc., 1990. Knowles, Gordan James MA “Dealing with Crack: A View from the Streets of Honolulu Law Enforcement Bulletin.” FBI July 1996: 1-8. “Angel Dust, Crack, Grass, Ice, Junk.” Christian Social Action June 1990: 8+. will win the war on drugs." San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, 1990. Schroder, Donald D. "Cocaine Use Is Not Sensational." St. Paul, Minnesota: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1985. Zonderman , Jon and Laurel Shader MDDrugs and DiseaseNew York, New York: Chelsea House Publishers., 1987.