The hydrochloride of an alkaloid obtained from the shrub Erythroxylum coca, native to Bolivia and Peru and cultivated extensively in South America. Cocaine is classed as a drug of abuse when used for nonmedical purposes. “Street” names for cocaine include snow, coke, crack, lady, flake, gold dust, green gold, blow, and toot. Medically it is used as a topical anesthetic applied to mucous membranes.