title: Changes in cocaine use as viewed by key informants: a qualitative study carried out in 1994 and 1999 in São Paulo, Brazil.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Nappo
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Galduróz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raymundo
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Carlini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003041:Coca; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011208:Powders; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D011208:Powders