The adulteration of cocaine involves the addition of other substances to increase volume and, subsequently, profit margins for distributors. This practice, unfortunately, reduces the purity of the drug and introduces potentially harmful elements to users. Examples of these additives can range from relatively benign compounds to highly dangerous chemicals.
This dilution process significantly impacts public health and safety. The presence of unexpected substances increases the risk of adverse reactions, overdose, and long-term health complications for individuals consuming the adulterated product. Historically, the substances used for this purpose have evolved, reflecting changes in availability, cost, and the perceived ability to mask the cocaine’s presence.