title: Crack cocaine abuse: an epidemic with many public health consequences.
abstract: In the mid-1980s a new, smokable form of cocaine, called crack, was introduced in the United States. Soon thereafter, it became apparent that crack cocaine abuse was a serious and important public health concern. Over the past several years, crack cocaine use has increasingly been associated with a myriad of immediate and long-term adverse effects. During this same period, crack cocaine use has progressively moved away from experimentation and recreational use to chronic and compulsive drug use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Cornish
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted; D011634:Public Health; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D016578:Crack Cocaine