Series: Shining a light on drugs – Episode 5: Cocaine and crack cocaine.
Former addict and owner of Wings of Inspiration Sober House, Anthea Da Costa, takes a look at drugs, and the negative effects they have on a person’s mind, body and soul. Episode 5 is about cocaine and crack cocaine.
The Herald recently spoke to Anthea da Costa from Eikepark about the dangers of drug abuse.
Anthea, who visited Randfontein recently for a charity event, has been the owner of the Wings of Inspiration Sober House in Helderkruin for the past four years and has researched multiple drugs, their effects and how they negatively affect a person’s mind, body and soul.
Cocaine and crack cocaine are the topics for this week. According to Anthea, both these substances can be taken orally, through the nose and being injected. The fumes of crack cocaine can be inhaled by heating the substance.
“Cocaine and crack cocaine are also known by their street names coke, crack, flake, rocks, Charlie or sniff,” said Anthea. She said cocaine is the drug in a powder form, and crack is the drug in a crystal form.
“These drugs can have numerous effects. People who use them often don’t eat or sleep properly, their heart rate increases, they can end up feeling paranoid, angry, hostile and anxious.
“The long-term effects can cause irritability, mood disturbances, restlessness and paranoia,” Anthea explained.
According to Anthea the drug causes severe depression, which becomes deeper after each use. “It becomes so severe that a person will do almost anything to get the drug, and the depression can drive the addict to suicide.”
