NCJ Number
195560
Journal
Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: May 2002 Pages: 195-210
Date Published
May 2002
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study involved interviews with young cocaine users and a study of their related behaviors.
Abstract
Cocaine use has only recently been recognized as a problem among young people and very little is known about who uses it and the types of harm experienced by users in this age group. The two forms of cocaine that are available in the United Kingdom are cocaine hydrochloride and a base form of the drug known as crack cocaine. Cocaine hydrochloride is most commonly used intranasally while crack cocaine is usually smoked. A qualitative study was designed to examine patterns of cocaine use and health risks among young users. The aim was to profile patterns of cocaine use and to explore how cocaine hydrochloride (or cocaine powder) was perceived by users in relation to crack cocaine, amphetamines, and ecstasy. Data were collected via in-depth face-to-face interviews, complemented by a short quantitative questionnaire. The sample comprised 34 young people between the ages of 18 and 28. The average age for first cocaine use was 18 years, although some were as young as 14 years when they first tried the drug. Two-thirds had used cocaine on at least 50 separate occasions and 12 reported over 100 occasions of use. Cocaine use generally took place with a group of friends and was described as a social activity. The most common positive effects reported from cocaine use were feeling more confident, feeling more sociable, and having more energy. The negative effects were categorized as short-term effects, after-effects, and long-term effects. Short-term effects were nasal irritation or bleeding, tension in facial muscles, and a dry mouth. After-effects experienced during the day following use included irritability, fatigue, feeling low or depressed, and being withdrawn. The recognition of long-term negative effects was relatively uncommon in this sample. Using other psychoactive substances, such as alcohol, concurrently with cocaine was extremely common. Ten people reported that they had used cocaine in the form of crack. The evidence presented suggests a need for a well-planned strategy to raise awareness on cocaine use and the related risks and harms. 2 tables, 1 note, 38 references