Coca (Erythroxylum coca): the drug plant 

Coca (Erythroxylum coca) is a plant that has been used by indigenous cultures of the Andean region of South America for thousands of years for medicinal, religious, and social purposes. Its leaves contain the alkaloid cocaine, which can bring on feelings of euphoria and increased energy but can also be highly addictive and cause numerous health issues. People traditionally chew or brew coca leaves into a tea to achieve a mild stimulating effect that helps with fatigue, hunger, and altitude sickness - a practice that has been passed down through generations in the region. 

However, the production and trafficking of cocaine have led to serious social, economic, and health problems in the Andes region as well as further abroad. To produce cocaine, chemicals like gasoline, acetone, and hydrochloric acid are used which can pollute waterways and cause environmental damage. Furthermore, drug trafficking has caused an increase in violence and corruption in countries such as Colombia and Peru - where most of the world's cocoa is produced. 

Cocaine use comes with its own set of potential health concerns including increased heart rate and blood pressure, paranoia, anxiety, and higher body temperature - as well as long-term damage to organs such as the heart or brain. It can also lead to addiction which is characterized by an uncontrollable desire to seek out use despite negative consequences. 

Various strategies have been adopted to combat the problems associated with coca cultivation and cocaine trafficking. Some countries have sought to support traditional use while others have invested in prevention and treatment programs or pursued interdiction efforts such as aerial fumigation or confiscation of drugs/assets. However, these measures are complicated by cultural/political/economic factors that fuel the growth of drug trading.