Cocaine

Cocaine (also cocain) is a strong stimulant drug that is made from coca leaves. It is illegal in most countries. Cocaine is usually a white powder. Because it is a stimulant, cocaine gives people energy. It also makes people feel very happy when it is taken. When used this way, cocaine is very addictive. However, cocaine can also be used as a local anesthetic if it is applied topically (onto the skin or gums) and this was how it was first used.^[1] The name comes from: "coca" - the plant it comes from - and "-ine" - anesthetic.

1. ↑ Macmillan Dictionary for Students Macmillan, Pan Ltd. (1981), page 192. Retrieved 2010-7-21.