Historique
Article de Périodique
Changes in cocaine use as viewed by key informants: a qualitative study carried out in 1994 and 1999 in Sao Paulo, Brazil (2001)
Auteur(s) :
S. A. NAPPO ;
GALDUROZ J.C. ;
RAYMOUNDO M. ;
E. A. CARLINI
Article en page(s) :
241-253
Refs biblio. :
37
Domaine :
Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs
Langue(s) :
Anglais
Discipline :
EPI (Epidémiologie / Epidemiology)
Note générale :
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 2001, 33, (3), 241-253
Résumé :
The characteristics of coca products use in São Paulo, Brazil during the years of 1994 and 1999 were investigated through interviews with 26 key informants (KIs; persons with knowledge of coca product users) in each of these years. The following information was yielded by the KIs: (1) there has been a large increase in coca products use in São Paulo from 1994 to 1999; concomitantly, there has been a decrease of hydrochloride use; (2) the increase has occurred due to the dissemination of crack which became cheap and easily available; (3) reasons for crack use changed greatly: in 1994, use was attributed mostly to pleasurable sensations produced by smoking; in 1999, use was intended to overcome compulsion/dependence or to put up with frustration/family conflicts; (4) crack users in 1999 came from practically all social classes of São Paulo; (5) use of alcohol and/or marijuana to cut down the anxiety and excitement produced by crack increased from 1994 to 1999; (6) even when police repression of traffic was effective, which rarely occurred, it affected only the price of coca products; (7) treatment services available were considered insufficient both in number and quality, and were run by ill-trained health professionals (this situation deteriorated even more in 1999); (8) many KIs heavily criticized the prevention programs because of the use of "scare techniques"; and (9) all KIs in 1999 believed that, unless the government changes its policy toward the drug problem, the situation would become worse in the next few years.
Affiliation :
Brésil. Brazil.