Crack, also known as rock, is a lesser pure form of cocaine. It is formed after boiling powder cocaine in a mixture of water and baking powder. It is taken by either smoking or inhaling the vapor.
To get the vapor, the crack crystals are heated and the vapor is taken into the nostrils by a pipe. As it is heated, the crystals make a cracking sound, hence the name crack. In the U.S.A., it is a scheduled II substance, which means that it is illegal to use for other reasons that are not medical. Compared to powder cocaine, it is less pure ultimately making it cheaper.
In the 1980′s, there was a wave of crime in many U.S. cities. This resulted from the introduction of crack on the streets as an alternative to the powder cocaine that was more expensive, leaving it out of reach for many users. The use of crack contributed to the rise of crime in urban cities. This mostly happened due to young, jobless people looking for ways and means to support their drug habits.
