High life
Snorters
Taki
Life is better with coke says the familiar motto and millions of drippy-nosed owners tend to agree. Starting with Hollywood, where being without it is commensurate to social leprosy, all the way across America and western Europe, the use of cocaine has reached epidemic-like proportions. And it is indicative of the moral degeneracy of these egalitarian times that the mood-altering drug once used by the nobility to enhance conversation and sexual activity, has now become the moving force among dimwitted jet setters, monosyllabic rock musicians, social climbing rag traders and Washington bureaucrats. And, of course, everyone connected with the world of entertainment and fashion. The high that cocaine gives lasts about twenty minutes. It is a euphoric type of upper but conditional to the mood of the person taking it. In other words, it accentuates one's feelings. As experienced snorters insist, one never sniffs when down. Historically, coke goes back a long way. In 2525 BC Chinese doctors prescribed it as medicine. Talleyrand allegedly used it throughout his life, and was reported to grumble that the 'Corsican's' moods could use some of the happy dust. Even Queen Victoria is said to have used it to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps.
Whatever its medical benefits may be, it is nevertheless a proven fact that long time use results in loss of memory, extreme paranoia, and extensive damage to the nasal membranes. In fact, trendy plastic surgeons now find restoring 'burned out' noses more profitable than lifting larger parts of the human anatomy. Unlike amphetamines, which it greatly resembles, cocaine is subtle and intellectual. There is no clouding of the senses, hallucination or spaced-out feeling. Just a smooth coating of confidence and energy. This is the main reason, along with trendiness, that so many businessmen are taking it. Coke, needless to say, is a capitalist drug. As there is a ritual involved, the richer the taker, the more expensive the props. Thin lines of white powder are cut and spread out with a gold razor and then snorted through a gold spoon. Junkies simply pour it on the cleavage between their thumb and index finger and sniff it uncut. One can tell easily how rich or well brought up the snorter is just by looking at him sniffing. In its pure form coke would probably be harmless. It gives a pleasant buzz and puts one to sleep. The trouble is, finding the Holy Grail is easier than pure coke. The pushers are greedy and cut the stuff with every piece of filth imaginable. And that, in turn, gets all those noses running.
Given the widespread use of cocaine among the beautiful people, there is hardly a chic party given nowadays that doesn't sound like a hay fever clinic during the month of June. Lavatories of 'with it' night clubs are worse. One has to enter with a surgical mask as if in an asbestos plant during an explosion. Masses of humanity sniff, snort, sneeze, cough and expectorate. One popular London club has even taken out the toilet bowls as redundant. Sociologists believe that cocaine has not only become the supreme status-symbol, it also has changed the very fibre of aesthetic love. Where once intellect, charm, and physical' beauty were the major attractions they are i now worthless f not accompanied by at least an ounce of the happy dust. Ironically, coke affects the sexes differently. Men get turned on physically, women mentally. In England, the widespread use of coke has turned things topsy-turvy. Now men want to go'to bed and women simply wish to chat.
Although it is difficult to gauge accurately the prevalence of cocaine use among the rich and famous, it is safe to say that the majority of the entertainment world takes it. Art dealers buy it but only to offer it to clients. The one institution that does not indulge is the Fourth Estate.
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