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Parent Testimonials Video

A Look at Current Cocaine Statistics in Regards to Student Use

What is Cocaine?
Recreational or illicit drugs have been a part of human culture for decades and centuries but cocaine has only truly hit the scene for the past one hundred and fifty years or so. Cocaine is a derivative drug that is processed from the Erythroxylon Coca, a plant that grows abundantly in South America. The word cocaine is derived from the name of the aforementioned plant. The drink Coca-Cola used to incorporate a small dose of the drug into their products and this explains the name of the drink. When the drug was prohibited the company removed the drug but retained the taste in their products.

Cocaine started out as a medical drug because it had noticeable numbing effects and was used for pain relief. During it medical history doctors had soon discovered the addictive tendencies caused by cocaine and eventually prohibited its use. Pretty soon people on the streets learned the addictive uses of cocaine. The most common way is to smoke cocaine like a cigarette. The drug gives a crackling sound as it burns and this is why people often refer to it as Crack or crack cocaine. The drug, when processed as powder, can also be inhaled or be injected directly into the bloodstream. The basic use of cocaine will manipulate the brain's reward system and a person using cocaine will feel different stimulated senses of pleasure. Over a period of time the body will depend on these stimulations. Without the drug the brain will not properly reward the body with senses of good feeling and accomplishment and thus begins the problem of drug withdrawal and addiction.

The Statistics
Drug use is not just for adult. Unfortunately, a major of drug users and abusers are young adults and teenagers. As a matter of fact there has been a constant rise throughout the years as more and more teenagers become exposed to cocaine and eventually try it at least once in their entire high school life. Drug dealers are aware that children are much easier to trick into buying drugs. The idea is that drugs are for adults and the thing is that kids are always eager to seem older than they really are. It is a social status ranking that makes them cooler than everybody else. Just look at the cocaine statistics below:

More than thirty six million eight hundred thousand people in the United States who are at least twelve (12) years old have attempted to use cocaine at least once within their life. A twelve year old kid is roughly a sixth or seventh grader in the American educational system.

How easy is it for a kid to get their hands on cocaine? A cocaine statistics study conducted in 2008 shows that nineteen percent of American eighth graders can very easily obtain crack or powder cocaine. The study also shows that thirty nine percent of American twelfth graders and twenty eight percent of all tenth graders also admit that it is relatively easy to get their hands on the drugs even within their very own school campus.

The highest rate amongst all cocaine users and abusers are people in their late teen years and adult year. People within the age range of 18 to 25 have proven to be the most frequent users of crack cocaine. This also reflects how easy it is for high school and college students to get the drug as it passes through the hallways of their school campuses.

Marijuana and methamphetamine are the two most common drugs constantly found in high schools and colleges but cocaine statistics show that coke or crack is a close third. This study stretches all over the United States. Another survey proved that over 90% of students who are addicted to cocaine started with alcohol and then marijuana.
Over five thousand people (5,000) all over the country attempt cocaine for the very first time. A majority of these people are young adults and high school students. In regards to this, more than 75% of people who give it a try become addicted to it in the long run. The majority of people who attempt cocaine once will try it again, even if it is against their will.

Most drug users refuse rehabilitation and without external aid there are very slim chances of a person to quit using cocaine. Out of all the students who get addicted to cocaine, only one out of every four people will be able to quit using cocaine without any outside help. The rest will continue to develop dependence on the drug until their later years.

Lastly, approximately 25% of people within the age range of 26 to 34 and fit into the category of adult have used cocaine at least once in their life. The majority of this group used cocaine during their senior high school year or during their college years. As a matter of fact, at least 8% of high school senior students all across the country have used cocaine at least once during their high school life.

These cocaine statistics prove that while drug addiction is something people like to associate with pop stars and adult rock celebrities, the truth is that the majority of cocaine addicts and victims are young high school or college students. They are more eager to try the drug and are much easier to draw in influence. Many students consider drug addiction to be hip and cool while others find it as a way to fit in society. High school is the time when kids are still trying to find their own identity and they usually end up using drugs like cocaine and marijuana to fit into a specific circle of friends. It is very important for parents and other adults in the community to see cocaine statistics such as these for them to understand that the action against drug trafficking and drug addiction should focus heavily right where it starts: in the school. Children are prone to try drugs the moment it is exposed to them and these cocaine statistics only prove the point that they are the most vulnerable group in society.