Can just TOUCHING crack or cocaine show up on a urine test?
Cocaine is available in two major forms, powdered cocaine and a hard form called cocaine base (crack). We know that the powdered form is soluble in water (dissolves easily in water) and is very easily absorbed through mucous membranes (mouth, nose, lips, eyes, etc.) and is a very good local anesthetic. Cocaine base is very insoluble in water and as a result is usually smoked. Cocaine is one of multiple alkaloids obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. Two species of coca are predominantly used: Erythroxylum coca (found in South and Central America, the Indian subcontinent and Java) and Erythroxylum novogranatense (South America).The leaves are harvested, then treated with a number of solvents. This forms “coca paste”, which contains 40 to 90% cocaine. The paste is then treated with baking soda and dissolved in acid to produce cocaine hydrochloride containing about 40% cocaine. Extraction of cocaine hydrochloride with ether in water based or alkaline solution produces “crack”, which
