From South America to Northeast Ohio: The history of cocaine
Video by Brad Hamilton
Words by Ile-Ife Okantah
Behind marijuana, cocaine is the most used illegal drug. There’s a connotation that cocaine is a rich people’s drug, popular with high profile celebrities, socialites and models. However, the drug’s effects are a perfect combination for college students.
The drug has an extensive history spanning back to the Incas of South America around the sixth century. They would chew on coca leaves, which is the plant the drug is derived from. In the late 1800s, scientists created a concentrated version of the plant called cocaine hydrochloride.
Sigmund Freud wrote a 70-page tribute to the drug in 1884. Surgeon William Halsted began injecting cocaine into his body to test the drug as a painkiller. John Syth Pemberton experimented with cocaine as a treatment for his morphine addiction, eventually creating a drink containing the drug. That drink became known as Coca-Cola.
It didn’t take long for all of these pioneers to realize the side effects and addictive properties of the drug. In 1914 Congress passed the Harrison Narcotics Act that banned the use of many non-medical drugs.
Despite the legal implications, cocaine gained popularity as a party drug in the 1970s and in the 1980s as Pablo Escobar built his infamous drug cartel. But, cocaine was still seen to the public as an addictive and dangerous drug. This begs the question: why has cocaine been so appealing to college students in the 21st century?
Former Kent State student Sierra Hawkins experimented with cocaine during her college career at Kent. To her, cocaine adds a “pep” in her step that elevates her overall party experience.
“When you’re in college you’re tired as hell,” Hawkins said. “But it’s also the prime time to party. Sometimes you just need that extra kick to really enjoy the night.”
Hawkins started partying long before her college days. She said the first time she tried cocaine was in high school because of a dare. She didn’t return to the drug until her time at Kent.
“I love drinking and dancing,” Hawkins said. “I’m very social and I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks about me. Which makes me want to go out and act a fool all the time. College was the perfect place for that. I had access to it (cocaine) so I was like, ‘why not?’”
College is the first time many teenagers are away from their families and completely unsupervised. Combine this with easy access and a pressure to party, students like Hawkins are at a higher risk to experiment.
“I don’t do it 24/7 but when I do it’s to boost the night,” Hawkins said. “If I’m drinking at the club, dancing and feeling a lot of energy it’s just kind of like ‘fuck it.’ You’re only young once so what’s the difference.”
Hawkins knows that experimenting with hard drugs has serious side effects. She has seen it first hand at her high school and at Kent. These tragic stories led to her leaving cocaine behind.
“I just think it’s kind of wild now,” Hawkins said. “What really sucks is how many people from my high school have died and how many people I knew from college that went to rehab. More times than not it’s a wealthy white kid. They have so much privilege the drugs and the lifestyle is pretty much handed to them. I’m not an avid user and I haven’t done drugs in a long time. I probably never will again. That part of my life is over.”
Although Hawkins has retired from the intense party scene, she believes experimenting with drugs is something all teenagers will go through, including her future kids.
“I will lay it all out for them,” Hawkins said. “I will let them know that if they’re on every drug in America and they need me don’t be afraid to call. We’ve all done stupid things and mostly everyone tries some type of drug at least once. Just don’t be an idiot.”