Maya Ellison
Small spoons are often used in the consumption of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and meth. They can be used to liquefy or dissolve the drug, hold the drug so a needle can be placed in it, or to snort the drug. In the 1960s and 1970s, McDonald's used small plastic spoons with a scoop at one end to stir coffee, and these were co-opted by drug users to snort cocaine. The spoons were also used as a unit of measurement for cocaine, with McSpoon becoming slang for 100mg of the drug.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use | To cook or liquefy drugs, hold drugs, or to help with snorting drugs |
| Drugs | Heroin, cocaine, crack, meth, tobacco |
| Appearance | Burn marks on the bottom of the spoon |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic spoons used for snorting cocaine
Plastic spoons, along with other tiny spoons, have been used for snorting cocaine. These spoons are also known as coke spoons, snuff spoons, or cocaine spoons. They are typically made from stainless steel, but can also be made of other materials such as plastic, rose gold, or ceramic. These spoons are small enough to be mistaken for toy ones and have a shallow bowl with a long, thin handle. They are often decorated with images or symbols associated with popular culture and sometimes attached to a necklace or pendant to be easily concealed and carried around.
The use of spoons for snorting cocaine dates back to pre-Columbian America when similar spoons were used for psychotropic substances. In the 20th century, these spoons became known as cocaine spoons or coke spoons as they were commonly used for snorting cocaine. The small size of the spoon allows for precise scooping of the cocaine powder, and the long handle facilitates easy administration into the nose.
In addition to spoons, other tools used for snorting cocaine include razor blades, coke straws, stirrers, and other surfaces. These tools may be used to separate lines of cocaine and provide a smooth surface for distribution. Common household items such as mirrors, rolled-up dollar bills, straws, and paper tubes are also used for snorting cocaine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) includes small spoons in its list of drug paraphernalia, recognizing their association with cocaine and heroin use. The presence of these spoons, especially when accompanied by other drug paraphernalia, may indicate potential substance misuse.
It is important to note that the use of cocaine and other drugs can lead to extreme withdrawal symptoms and addiction. Seeking help and support for oneself or a loved one struggling with substance misuse is crucial for long-term recovery.
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Spoons used for injecting heroin
Spoons are commonly used to prepare heroin for injection. The drug is placed in the spoon, which is then heated from below with a flame. This process, known as "cooking" or "liquefaction", transforms the heroin into an injectable substance. Metal spoons are the most commonly used for this purpose due to their concave shape and flame-resistant qualities. Spoons used for this purpose may exhibit scorch marks on their bottom from repeated exposure to flames.
Heroin is typically sold and distributed in powder or tar form. Powdered heroin requires a liquid to dissolve in before cooking, whereas tar does not. Cotton balls are used to soak up the liquefied heroin and can also serve as a filter to "purify" the drug. Cigarette filters may also be used for this purpose. Hypodermic needles are then employed to suck up the liquid through the cotton ball.
Injecting heroin comes with various risks and potential health issues. Skin infections, for instance, are commonly caused by contaminants in the heroin, utensils, or needles, as well as poor hygiene. Non-sterile equipment can lead to skin infections and abscesses, which, if ignored, can result in more serious issues. Sharing needles for injection also carries a high risk of contracting infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C.
In addition to spoons, other items used to prepare and inject heroin include hypodermic needles, cotton balls, rubber tubing, shoelaces, belts, and bottle caps. These items serve various functions, such as straining and injecting the drug, and facilitating blood flow to make injection easier.
Recognizing heroin paraphernalia, such as spoons with burn marks, can be crucial in identifying drug abuse and potential addiction. Possessing heroin paraphernalia is considered a criminal offence in many places, and it is important to dispose of these items properly to avoid triggering relapse.
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Spoons used for liquefying drugs
Spoons have been used for liquefying drugs for a long time. Small spoons are often used to help liquefy or dissolve the crystalized form of drugs like heroin, crack, or meth. The spoon has a dual function: it holds the drug so that a needle tip can be placed in the liquid, and it is used to heat the substance. Spoons used for liquefying drugs may have scorch marks on the bottom from the flame of a lighter.
In addition to injection drugs, spoons are also used for non-injection drug use. For example, spoons may be used to bring cocaine up to the nose to snort. In the 18th century, small spoons were used for nasal insufflation of powdered tobacco, and in the 20th century, they were used for cocaine. These spoons are frequently referred to as "coke spoons" or "cocaine spoons."
In the United States, spoons that are too small and thus "unsuited for the typical, lawful uses of a spoon" are treated as drug paraphernalia. These spoons are often so small that they are mistaken for toy spoons.
Historically, small spoons were used for psychotropic substances in pre-Columbian America. Archaeologists have found evidence of this at the Chavín de Huántar site in Peru, where they believe small spoons were used for the consumption of hallucinogenic snuffs of Anadenanthera colubrina more than 2000 years ago.
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Spoons used for snorting drugs
Spoons have been used for drug consumption for a long time. Snuff spoons, for example, have been used for nasal insufflation of powdered substances for over 2000 years. In the 17th century, powdered snuff was consumed using a combination of a small vial and a snuff spoon. By the 20th century, these spoons were being used for cocaine, hence the names "cocaine spoon" and "coke spoon".
Small spoons are also used to help liquefy or dissolve the crystallized form of drugs like heroin, crack, or meth. The spoon holds the drug while it is heated with a lighter, and a needle is then used to inject the liquefied drug. Spoons used for this purpose may have scorch marks on the bottom.
Spoons are also used for non-injection drug use, such as to bring cocaine up to the nose to snort. Other tools used for snorting cocaine include short straws, rolled-up paper tubes, and dollar bills.
Spoons used for drug consumption are often small enough to be placed under the nose for easy and discreet snorting of drugs through the nasal cavity. These spoons are sometimes referred to as "cocaine spoons" or "coke spoons". They are so small that they are frequently mistaken for toy spoons.
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Spoons used for cooking heroin
In addition to spoons, other paraphernalia used for injecting heroin include hypodermic needles, cotton balls, rubber tubing, and shoelaces. The rubber tubing or shoelaces are used to tie around the arm before injection. Heroin can also be smoked using a method called "chasing the dragon", where the powder is heated on foil and the fumes are inhaled through a small tube.
Possession of drug paraphernalia is a criminal offence in most states, and it is important to dispose of these items properly to avoid relapse.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic spoons have been related to the use of cocaine, heroin, and meth.
Plastic spoons are used to measure out a specific amount of the drug and to help guide the drug into the user's nostril.
Yes, small metal spoons are often used to cook heroin, cocaine, or meth over a flame. The spoon is then used to hold the liquefied drug so that a needle can be placed into it.
