Cocaine has always been a prominent drug in society. It has been the cause of many deaths, dysfunctional families and heart breaking stories. The effects of the chemical in the coca leaf were first discovered throughout South America where Coca chewing was practiced because it was believed to be a gift from God in 3000 B.C. Now, Cocaine has claimed the lives of many and will always be a visible problem in our society.
             Cocaine produces its effects by altering the synaptic mechanisms. Since it alters these mechanisms it is known as a synaptic drug. These drugs usually block an objectionable effect or it will improve a pleasing effect. There are four ways in which these drugs can alter the synaptic mechanisms. Firstly they may modify the synthesis, axonal transport, storage, or release of a neurotransmitter. Another way that cocaine may do this is by adjusting neurotransmitter interaction with the postsynaptic receptor. Cocaine may also Influence neurotransmitter reuptake or obliteration or lastly, replace a deficient neurotransmitter with a substitute transmitter. It is been discovered the cocaine blocks the transporters for three different neurotransmitters; dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. The most influential blockage is the dopamine.
             Cocaine stops the reuptake of the neurotransmitter dopamine at presynaptic terminals by competitively joining with the dopamine reuptake transporter. The transporter is a protein molecule that picks up the released dopamine from the synaptic cleft and taking it to the axon terminal for reuptake. This cycle continues until cocaine has come into the system. When cocaine occupies the dopamine transporter it stays in the synaptic cleft longer than usual and continues to interrelate with postsynaptic receptor sites. The result of this is a prolonged activation of neural pathways that use this chemical as a neurotransmitter.
             A large reason why the American Government ou...