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is then prepared and carefully preserved before sale. Note that these production methods may change, based on the manufacturer and may include various other dangerous and even lethal substances. A lengthy process is required to make cocaine. It is summarized in the following sections. Growing and Picking Cocaine creation starts when growers pick coca leaves and crush and stir them with water, lime, and kerosene. Yes: cocaine has a flammable fluid mixed in with it during its creation. This crushing process helps extract the coca alkaloids and wax. Producers then heat and cool this kerosene mixture to further separate the various components within the cocaine and make it usable for human consumption. Extracting the Wax All of this heating and cooling helps to separate a wax from the mixture that contains a heavy concentration of the alkaloids needed to produce the cocaine high. Manufacturers then add sulfuric acid to the extracted cocaine wax. This process creates a liquid solution called “cocaine sulfate.” It is from this mixture that cocaine powder is eventually produced. Producing the Coca Paste Manufacturers then add lime or ammonia to the cocaine liquid to create a paste. All of the ingredients listed so far are hazardous and can even be deadly if ingested in raw form. As a result, producers wear face masks and filters to protect themselves during production. Sulfuric acid once again dissolves the cocaine paste before potassium permanganate is added to filter out impurities in the paste.

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The Young Adult Drug Library: Cocaine