NCJ Number
108911
Date Published
1987
Length
169 pages
Annotation
This text examines current patterns of use and attitudes toward cocaine within the social, historical, and cultural context of the drug in Europe and North America.
Abstract
Part 1 traces the transition of attitudes and policies toward cocaine as a legal, uncontrolled, ideal tonic in the 1880's to the model feared drug in 1910-1925. Research documenting patterns of and trends in cocaine use also is reviewed. Part 2 presents the results of interviews with a community sample of 111 cocaine users in Canada. The majority of subjects were social-recreational cocaine users who also regularly used marijuana and alcohol. They generally viewed cocaine as an attractive drug that facilitated social interactions and produced a controlled high that did not interfere with normal activities. While the perceived effects of use were largely benign, 23 percent had experienced paranoia and 23 percent had experienced aggressive behavior at least once. Although cocaine convictions have risen steadily since 1970, maximum penalties are rarely imposed, users were largely uninformed about the details of the law, and the law appeared to result in few difficulties in obtaining cocaine and had little deterrent effect. Case studies illustrate a variety of experiences with cocaine among users and former users. Tables, index, and approximately 160 references.