NCJ Number
192562
Journal
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs Volume: 33 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2001 Pages: 241-253
Date Published
September 2001
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This qualitative study provides insight into the culture, patterns, and consequences of cocaine use in Sao Paulo, Brazil during two periods of time, 1994 and 1999, by utilizing the Key Informant (KI) technique as a method to obtain information on consumers of cocaine products.
Abstract
An investigation on the characteristics of coca product use in Sao Paulo, Brazil during the years of 1994 and 1999 was conducted through interviews with 26 key informants (KI) (a person with knowledge of coca product users). The KIs were selected based on their possession of special knowledge about coca products users and their willingness to share their knowledge. Information attained and described by the KIs indicated a large increase in the number of persons using coca products in Sao Paulo from 1994 to 1999. The increase was identified as occurring due to the dissemination of crack smoking. KIs noted that crack in 1999 was easy to acquire. The reasons for using crack changed greatly from 1994 to 1999. In 1994, the main factors were pleasurable sensations and a powerful attraction with compulsion and dependence. In 1999, compulsion/dependence and frustration and family conflicts were reported to be main factors. Many KIs recognized the failure in sufficient treatment, prevention, and repression to match the enormity of coca product use. In 1994, the KIs predicted a deterioration of the situation from 1995 to 1999 unless significant measures were taken. Tables and references