Crack Use in Canada: A Distant American Cousin (From Crack in America: Demon Drugs and Social Justice, P 175-193, 1997, Carl Reinarman and Harry G Levine, eds. - See NCJ-170648)

• NCJ Number: 170656
• Author(s): Y W Cheung; P G Erickson
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 19 pages
• Sale Source: University of California Press
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

Relatively low rates of drug abuse and crime in Canada, compared to the United States, can be attributed in part to Canada's more extensive welfare system, including universal medical care, and in part to a national race relations policy of multiculturalism.

Abstract

Despite substantial differences in actual drug abuse, drug- related crime, and sociocultural conditions, Canada's response to the drug problem has been similar to that of the United States. Even so, limited data are available on the extent of crack use in Canada, although police reports have indicated increases in crack seizures since 1986. Also, since 1987, hospital and treatment centers in Canada have seen an increased number of cocaine cases. Cocaine cases, however, cannot be collapsed into crack cases, and the exact extent of crack use in Canada is difficult to determine because each type of study or source of information has limitations. A community-based study of crack users in Toronto was conducted using 100 subjects aged 18 years or older who had used cocaine and/or crack. Among respondents, 79 had used crack and the remaining 21 had used only cocaine powder. Respondents were asked questions about various aspects of crack use. Results showed over 75 percent of respondents had not tried crack until 3 years prior to interview. Most were introduced to crack by male friends, coworkers, or intimates. Respondents most commonly used crack with friends. Many respondents liked the rapid and intensive reaction of crack and other pleasurable effects of the drug. About half of respondents experienced cravings, were concerned about becoming addicted, and preferred crack over other forms of cocaine. Only 32 percent of respondents were currently continuous crack users, and only 28 percent were heavy crack users. User knowledge of possible dangerous effects of crack addiction kept most users away from regular use. Implications of the findings for drug policies and drug prevention efforts are discussed. 60 references, 7 notes, and 2 tables