OBJECTIVE:To characterize the situation regarding crack cocaine use in the city of São Paulo, along with the sociodemographic profi le of its users. METHODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES:Qualitative ethnographic study carried out with an intentional sample of crack cocaine users (n=45) and former users (n=17). The participants were recruited by means of the chain sampling method and they underwent a semi-structured interview guided by a questionnaire, in 2004 and 2005. The combination of each question and its respective responses gave rise to specifi c reports that were interpreted individually. ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS:The predominating profi le of the crack cocaine users was that they were single young men of low socioeconomic class and low schooling level, without formal employment ties. The pattern of use most frequently cited was compulsive, characterized by multiple drug use and carrying out illegal activities in exchange for crack cocaine or money. However, controlled use was also identifi ed. This consisted of non-daily use of crack cocaine mediated by individual factors that were developed intuitively by the user. Controlled use was similar in nature to the strategies adopted by former users to achieve a state of abstinence. CONCLUSIONS:The culture of crack cocaine use has undergone changes regarding the pattern of use. Although most users do so compulsively, the existence of controlled use was observed. This deserves to be investigated in more detail, particularly with regard to the strategies adopted to attain this.

OBJECTIVE:To understand crack cocaine craving among users and describe craving behaviors and coping strategies.

OBJETIVO: Identificar, entre usuários de crack, uma progressão no uso de drogas e seus fatores interferentes. MÉTODOS: Utilizou-se metodologia qualitativa para uma investigação mais profunda, considerando o ponto de vista que o entrevistado tem do fenômeno. Foram aplicados entrevistas de longa duração e questionários semi-estruturados. Foi delineada uma amostra intencional, e uma amostragem com critérios foi conseguida. Para atingir a saturação teórica, foram entrevistados 31 usuários ou ex-usuários de crack. RESULTADOS: Foram detectadas duas fases distintas de uso de drogas. A primeira, com drogas lícitas, sendo o cigarro e o álcool as mais citadas pela amostra. Parentes e amigos dos entrevistados foram os incentivadores do consumo, e o motivo alegado para o uso dessas substâncias foi a necessidade de autoconfiança. A idade precoce do consumo e o uso pesado de uma ou ambas as drogas foram determinantes para o início de uma escalada de drogas ilícitas. A maconha foi a primeira droga dessa segunda fase. Uma postura mais ativa na busca da droga como fonte de prazer passou a ser o motivo do consumo. CONCLUSÕES: O estudo revela que a identificação de uma seqüência de drogas parece estar mais associada a fatores externos (pressões de grupo, influência do tráfico etc.) do que à preferência do usuário. Foram identificadas duas progressões diferentes: entre os mais jovens (=30 anos), cuja a escalada começou com o cigarro e/ou álcool e passou pela maconha e cocaína aspirada até o uso de crack; e os mais velhos (>30 anos), que iniciaram o uso de drogas pelo cigarro e/ou álcool, seguido de maconha, medicamentos endovenosos, cocaína aspirada, cocaína endovenosa e, por fim, crack.

The consumption of psychotropic drugs among Brazilian secondary school students was examined by comparing data from four surveys using a questionnaire adapted from the WHO's Program on Research and Reporting on the Epidemiology of Drug Dependence. Students filled out the form in their classrooms without the presence of teachers. The target population consisted of 10-18-year-old students (on average, 15,000 students responded to each survey) in Brazil's ten largest state capitals: Belém, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and São Paulo. Among the legal drugs, lifetime use (use at least once during life) of tobacco was increased in seven cities (the exceptions were Brasília, Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro). There was also a significant increase in frequent use of alcohol (six times or more per month) in 6 of the cities, from an average of 9.2% in 1987 to 15.0% in 1997. With respect to illegal drugs, there was a significant increase in lifetime use of marijuana (a 3-fold increase from 2.8% in 1987 to 7.6% in 1997). Cocaine use increased 4-fold over the survey period (0.5% in 1987 to 2.0% in 1997). Lifetime use of cocaine significantly increased in eight capitals (except Recife and Rio de Janeiro). However, frequent cocaine use increased in only three capitals (Belém, Fortaleza and Porto Alegre), from an average of 1.0% in 1987 to 3.6% in 1997. Lifetime use of medications such as anxiolytics and amphetamines increased 2-fold on average over the survey period. Comparing the four studies, the main conclusion is that there were significant increases in the frequencies for lifetime use, frequent use and heavy use of many drugs

OBJECTIVE:To characterize the situation regarding crack cocaine use in the city of São Paulo, along with the sociodemographic profi le of its users. METHODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES:Qualitative ethnographic study carried out with an intentional sample of crack cocaine users (n=45) and former users (n=17). The participants were recruited by means of the chain sampling method and they underwent a semi-structured interview guided by a questionnaire, in 2004 and 2005. The combination of each question and its respective responses gave rise to specifi c reports that were interpreted individually. ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS:The predominating profi le of the crack cocaine users was that they were single young men of low socioeconomic class and low schooling level, without formal employment ties. The pattern of use most frequently cited was compulsive, characterized by multiple drug use and carrying out illegal activities in exchange for crack cocaine or money. However, controlled use was also identifi ed. This consisted of non-daily use of crack cocaine mediated by individual factors that were developed intuitively by the user. Controlled use was similar in nature to the strategies adopted by former users to achieve a state of abstinence. CONCLUSIONS:The culture of crack cocaine use has undergone changes regarding the pattern of use. Although most users do so compulsively, the existence of controlled use was observed. This deserves to be investigated in more detail, particularly with regard to the strategies adopted to attain this.

Documented crack use emerged in São Paulo, Brazil, from 1991 onward. Therefore, it is a recent behavior among drug users. The present work draws a profile of São Paulo crack users, employing an ethnographic approach. Twenty-five crack users were interviewed on selected social and demographic characteristics, on the drug itself and its consumption, and on the consequences of this use. Crack cocaine is harmful for the user, leading within a short period to a condition of dependence. The crack users reported ultimately lapsing into "marginality" due to social isolation, neglect of bodily needs, and breakdown of family ties and other relationships.

ResumoContexto: No Brasil, levantamentos epidemiológicos têm apontado o aumento do uso de crack, possivelmente em razão de mudanças de seu acesso, estratégias de mercado e formas de uso. Objetivo: Identificar tais aspectos da cultura de uso de crack, na cidade de São Paulo, sob a perspectiva do próprio usuário. Métodos: Adotou-se amostra intencional, selecionada por critérios, composta de usuários (n = 45) e ex-usuários de crack (n = 17). Recrutados por meio de informantes-chave e técnica de amostragem em cadeias, cada participante submeteu-se à entrevista semiestruturada. Resultados: Atualmente, conforme os entrevistados, o acesso a crack é simples, facilitado por estratégias de mercado como a entrega em domicílio do crack (crack delivery). As pedras têm sido substituídas pelo farelo, forma mais barata e adulterável da droga. Embora o cachimbo artesanal de alumínio seja a forma de uso mais comum, têm-se identificados o shotgun e o uso combinado de crack a tabaco ou maconha. Conclusões: Embora de caráter preliminar, esse estudo aponta que a qualidade, o mercado e as estratégias de uso de crack têm sofrido mudanças, implicando potenciais riscos à saúde do usuário, sugerindo sua consideração à atualização das políticas públicas e dos programas de intervenção atualmente vigentes. OliveiraLG, Nappo SA / Rev Psiq Clín. 2008;35(6):212-8 Palavras-chave: Cocaína-crack, comportamento, pesquisa qualitativa, antropologia cultural, políticas públicas de saúde. AbstractBackground: In Brazil, survey data have pointed to an increase in crack cocaine lifetime use, possibly due to changes on its accessibility, market strategies and ways of use. Objective: To identify such issues in the crack cocaine culture of use, in São Paulo, according to the user point of view. Methods: An intentional sample was selected, composed by crack users (n = 45) and former users (n = 17). Recruited through key-informants and chain sampling methods, each participant was submitted to an in-depth semi-structured interview. Results: Nowadays, as reported by interviewees, it is quite simple to get crack cocaine, especially through new market strategies as crack cocaine delivery. Rocks have been replaced by "crack powder", the cheapest and easily "changeable" crack cocaine. Although makeshift aluminum pipes are the commonest way of use, others have been identified, among them, "shotgun" and the combined use with tobacco or marijuana. Discussion: Although preliminary in nature, this study points that crack cocaine quality, market strategies and ways of use have changed, implying in potential heath risks to users suggesting its utilization to the health public policies and intervention methods updating.

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