How much does gas cost right now?
Whether you know the answer off the top of your head or not, you likely know how often the price of gas changes. Many different things influence the price of gas, while other times the prices just seem to change on a whim. We’ve seen the cost of fast food items increase. People often talk about the price of milk or eggs and how those fluctuate, too. Do these same price changes happen with drugs like cocaine?
At Pinnacle Peak Recovery, we’ve heard the questions so frequently asked by our community, many of whom have a loved one who is dealing with a substance use disorder. How much does cocaine cost? How does my loved one know the price? Why does the price change? Why does it cost so much?
These questions often come from a place of wanting to understand, and we know how important that is. Education is key to lowering stigma and getting people access to the care they deserve. Today we’re going to talk about the price of cocaine, what influences it, and what these prices mean for you or your loved one.
Understanding the Cost of Cocaine
Have you ever seen a news report that says, “… troopers found 110 pounds of cocaine, wrapped in 50 packages, worth an estimated $1.75 million,” but then another says, “10 kilograms of cocaine… the recovery of an estimated $400,000,” How does this work? If 110 pounds is nearly 50 kilos, why was the 110-pound seizure only 1.5 times more valuable than the 10-kilo one? Why were different measurements used in the first place?
Because it’s not a regulated substance, the price of cocaine has a lot of wiggle room in what the consumer sees versus what the buyer might pay to obtain it. Cocaine originates from South America and is derived from the leaves of the coca plant. The conditions needed to grow this plant, as well as to turn the leaves into what is known as cocaine, isn’t something that every drug dealer has access to. This leads to supply chains, which can strongly influence the costs seen on the streets.
There’s more to it than that, however. Let’s talk more about what can influence the cost of cocaine.
What Causes the Price of Cocaine to Change or Vary?
There are many things that influence the cost of cocaine. Many of these factors are similar to ones that can influence the cost of things found in the grocery store, like supply and demand or changes in the economy. There are different factors, however, that are unique to cocaine.
The biggest influence over the price of cocaine is related to how “pure” the cocaine is. Other substances are often added to cocaine to cut the costs seen on the backend. These substances can be anything from other drugs like fentanyl to household products like baking powder, flour, or chalk.
Does the Cost of Cocaine Vary by State and Country?
In short – yes.
This ties back to supply and demand. The prices in different states and parts of the world will change depending on how readily available cocaine is. Nearly 90% of the powdered cocaine in the United States was originally produced in Colombia, with the vast majority of it coming into the country through Mexico. This means that parts of the country that are further from Mexico may have different prices because of how long it takes to get the supplies to their location.
In fact, despite it being a border state, even the prices of cocaine throughout major cities in Arizona, have been noted to vary. The DEA reported Yuma having the cheapest price range per kilo compared to Phoenix and Tucson, but still having the most expensive pricing per ounce compared to the other two. These numbers were from the early 2000s, so it’s important to keep that in mind. They do showcase that kilo prices and general location don’t always correlate to the cost seen per gram or ounce.
The Unique Types of Cocaine and Their Different Price Points
There are a handful of different types of cocaine, but the two seen most often in the United States are crack cocaine and cocaine hydrochloride. Some split up cocaine hydrochloride into two additional categories – salt and base – but these aren’t frequently sold as separate types, so we won’t be talking about them today.
Cocaine hydrochloride is the one most people think of. It’s the fine, white powder form of cocaine. Crack cocaine is a rock-like substance that ranges in color from white to off-white with yellow or pink tints.
The Cost of Pure Cocaine
When talking about “pure” cocaine, this is normally referring to cocaine hydrochloride. The produce that ends up in someone’s hands after they buy it from a dealer is rarely “pure” anymore and is often referred to as “cocaine salts” by officials who track these prices.
Cocaine hydrochloride is most commonly sold by the kilo. The average purity of this product in the United States was 82%. Despite that, the prices most often seen ranged from $28,000 to $33,000.
The Cost of Crack Cocaine
Crack cocaine, despite being “less pure” than the powdered form still has a similar price range as that of the powdered form. In 2018 the range of prices found in the United States was $15 per gram at the cheapest and $500 at the most expensive. On average, however, it was noted to be sold at about $80 per gram.
What Are the Most Common Measurements Used for Buying Cocaine?
The price of cocaine is most commonly spoken of in two different measurements: kilo and gram. Despite police seizures normally talking about cocaine by the kilo, this is not the measurement most often seen on the average consumer’s end. Most consumers will purchase a gram of cocaine or multiple grams of cocaine.
So, how much is one gram of powdered cocaine?
Cocaine by the Gram
Buying cocaine per gram, or per half-gram, is the most common form of cocaine purchasing. In 2021, the average cost per gram was $120. Although many online forums like Quora and Reddit claim that the average price of a half-gram of cocaine is $50, the sources should be taken with a grain of salt.
Cocaine by the Ounce
The US and Arizona governments have not given out official data regarding the cost of cocaine per ounce in over two decades. Back in 2002, the average cost noted in Arizona was about $600 per ounce.
There are many online communities that discuss substance use and talk about common prices they see, but these are unreliable as they don’t bring other factors into consideration and are coming from an unverified source.
What is an 8-Ball of Cocaine?
An 8-ball of cocaine is a measurement used to describe 1/8th of a gram of cocaine. This is often an amount given away for free from drug dealers to potential buyers as a form of “sample.” This method is often employed to encourage people to buy more of the drug once they try it out.
What Resources Are Available in Arizona for Cocaine Use Disorders?
If you’re learning about the price of cocaine it’s likely for one of two reasons – you want to know if the prices you’re paying are normal or you want to know how much your loved one is spending.
We don’t judge you for wanting to learn about this. There’s one thing we want you to consider. If a gram of cocaine costs $120, what else could you buy with that money that could also bring you the same feelings? Is this something you want to keep spending your money on? If you put aside this money every time you considered seeking out cocaine for a month, how much would you have at the end?
If you’re reading this because you’re concerned for your loved one, you can also ask these questions to them. Be open-minded and nonjudgemental when approaching this topic and remind them how much you care. Managing a cocaine use disorder can be life-consuming, and the thought of stepping away from it can be scary. You can be there to support them through this change without enabling their continued behavior.
The first step towards healing is to look into cocaine rehab options near you. A good facility will work with you along your entire journey, providing ongoing support and care. Everyone deserves healing, no matter their circumstances or history with cocaine use.
At Pinnacle Peak Recovery, our team approaches your care with compassion. We know treatment shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all, that’s why we offer a wide variety of evidence-based practices to make your recovery well-rounded and suited for your needs. There’s no wrong time to get started. Give us a call today at 866-377-4761 and we’ll set you up on the path to success in long-term recovery.
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