Crack Cocaine Use and its Relationship with Violence and Hiv

Abstract

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate crack cocaine use practices, risk behaviors associated with HIV infection among drug users, and their involvement with violence.INTRODUCTIONHIV infections are frequent among drug users due to risky sexual behavior. It is generally accepted that crack cocaine use is related to increased levels of violence. Several reports point to an increase in violence from those involved in drug trafficking. Although HIV infections and risky sexual behavior among drug users have been quite well studied, there are few studies that evaluate violence as it relates to drugs, particularly crack.METHODSA total of 350 drug users attending drug abuse treatment clinics in São Paulo, Brazil were interviewed about their risky behaviors. Each patient had a serological HIV test done.RESULTSHIV prevalence was 6.6% (4.0 to 10.2). Violence was reported by 97% (94.7 to 99.1) of the subjects (including cases without personal involvement). Acts of violence such as verbal arguments, physical fights, threats, death threats, theft, and drug trafficking were significantly higher among crack users. A decrease in frequency of sexual intercourse was observed among users of injected drugs, though prostitution was observed as a means of obtaining drugs. A high number of crack cocaine users had a history of previous imprisonment, many for drug-related infractions.DISCUSSIONThe data presented are in accordance with other reports in the literature, and they show a correlation between drug use, imprisonment, violence, and drug trafficking.CONCLUSIONA high HIV prevalence and associated risky sexual behaviors were observed among crack cocaine users. The society and the authorities that deal with violence related to crack users and drug trafficking should be aware of these problems.

Vulnerabilidades clínicas e sociais em usuários de crack de acordo com a situação de moradia: um estudo multicêntrico de seis capitais brasileiras

“…Estudos sobre o perfil de usuá-rios de crack demonstram que eles estão mais expostos a ambientes violentos, a envolvimento com crimes e a aumento de fatores de risco para a sua saúde 1,31 . Nesse sentido, tais indivíduos têm uma maior probabilidade de detenção e envolvimento com o crime 21 .…”

“…O abuso de crack é considerado um problema de saúde pública e está associado à violência e criminalidade, a problemas psicológicos, sociais, ocupacionais e à potencialização da contaminação por doenças infectocontagiosas 1 . Estima-se que a prevalência do uso regular de crack ou similares nas capitais brasileiras seja de 0,81%, correspondendo a 35% dos consumidores de drogas ilícitas, excluindo a maconha 2 .…”

Who seeks public treatment for substance abuse in Brazil? Results of a multicenter study involving four Brazilian state capitals

“…28 A substantial percentage of the sample used marijuana in the 30 days preceding the interview ( 49 In 2008, a sample of female patients seeking treatment for alcoholism was assessed for differences between early dropout and non-dropout patients.…”

Políticas sobre drogas no Brasil: a estratégia de redução de danos

“…(Lima, 2010 (2006, p.79). Esse dado pode ser um indicador da falta de familiaridade com a mudança na demanda e no perfil dos usuários de drogas, devido à migração do uso de drogas injetáveis para o crack (Carvalho & Seibel, 2009). …”