Understanding the basis of cocaine addiction means knowing the cultural roots in which society's use of cocaine stems from. MyAddiction.com offers you a snapshot of the historical background to at first the coca plant and then later cocaine itself.
3000 B.C.E. Coca: A Godly Plant
The Coca plant, which is the plant that cocaine is derived from is chewed throughout South America and is considered by South America's inhabitants to be a gift from God.
1400s: Inca Coca Expansion
The Inca, an advanced medieval Peruvian empire expands Coca production through the operation of countless Coca plantations. It are these plantations which will later form the beginning of the production of the modern day Coca crop that is the root of pure cocaine.
1505: The Europeans Get Hooked To Coca
Amerigo Vespucci brings back the coca plant to Europe.
Early 1500s: The Spanish Take Over Coca Production
Those who are privileged to be in possession of the coveted Spanish Land Grants take possesion of the Incan Coca plantations. Along with this action the tax laws of Spain are changed to let land owners pay their taxes in coca leaves.
1539: The Church Takes a Piece of the Action
The Bishop of Cuzco takes 1/10 of the value of each coca crop.
By the middle of the 16th Century coca production in Peru rapidly expands, overly producing the coca leaf, causing the price of the coca plant to drop.
1575: Coca Trade Attracts Europeans
82% of European in Peru involve themselves in the Coca trade, making it the largest employer of European labor in South America.
1662: Coca Poetry
"The Legend of Coca" by Abraham Cowley becomes the first instance that coca is mentioned in English literature.
1708: Botany meets the Coca Plant
German botanist Herman Boerhaave mentions the coca plant in his paper "Institutions Medicae."
1835: Coca and Art
Sir William Hooker accurately portrays the coca plant in an artists rendering for the "Companion to the Botanical Magazine."
1850: Coca's Medicinal Side
During surgical procedures of throat doctors use tincture made from coca leaves.
1855: Cocaine is Born
The first extraction of cocaine from coca leaves takes place.
1862: Cocaine Production Increase Little by Little
A ¼ pound of cocaine is extracted from the coca plant by Merck.
1869: The Coca come to New York
Kew Gardens receives commercial variety coca seeds.
1870: Want some Cocaine with Your Wine?
Vin Mariani or otherwise known as Coca Wine goes on sale throughout France. It contains 6 mg of cocaine for every ounce of wine. The exported version of the wine contains 7.2 mg of cocaine due to the American competition containing a higher quantity.
1870s: Coca Extract
A liquid coca extract of coca is made.
1876 to 1885: Sporting With Coca
English Race Walkers are known to chew coca leaves in order to increase their physical out put.
1883: More Cocaine
¾ of a pound of cocaine is extracted from coca leaves by Merck.
1884: The Cocaine Take Over
The popularization of cocaine as an anesthetic during surgical procedures on eyes takes place. "On Coca" is published by Sigmund Freud. In it he makes the recommendation to use cocaine in the treatment of many conditions. 3,179 pounds of cocaine are extracted by Merck.
1886: Even More Cocaine
158,352 pounds of cocaine is extracted by Merck
John Pemberton introduces Coca-Cola, which has syrup laced with cocaine and caffeine.
Late 1880s: Cocaine Production Gets into Full Swing
Refined cocaine is produced.
1901: Cola Without Coca
Cocaine is removed from Coca-Cola's mix.
1905: Cocaine for the Nose
It becomes popular to snort cocaine.
1910: Cocaine Creates Nasal Damage
the first time there are recorded cases of nasal problems stemming from cocaine snorting written in medical journals and seen many hospitals.
1912: Cocaine as a Death Drug
5,000 fatalities were recorded by the U.S. Government as the result of cocaine use.
1914: Bye Bye Cocaine
The US makes cocaine illegal.
Early 1930s: Cocaine Production Keeps Going
The leading cocaine producers are during this time are Japan, US, Germany, UK, and France.
1976: A New Form of Cocaine Arises
The first development of freebase cocaine occurs. It soon grows in popularity, pushed both by dealers and Hollywood.
1981: Cocaine Becomes a Money Maker
$55,000 is the going rate for 1 kg of cocaine.
1984: Cocaine Gets Cheaper
$25,000 becomes the going rate for 1 kg of cocaine.
1980s: Freebasing Cocaine
Freebasing cocaine becomes cool.
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