Cocaine and 'base/crack' cocaine
Introduction
Concern has been growing in the EU about increasing use of cocaine; however, actual trends in cocaine use and their consequences across the EU are difficult to verify. Firstly, national data, for example, from surveys or treatment centres do not reflect changes in prevalence and problems that occur in geographic patches within specific cities or changes which are concentrated in particular social milieus. Secondly, current information about cocaine often lacks clear, scientific definitions - for example, information systems rarely distinguish cocaine 'base/crack' from cocaine hydrochloride or between the different 'base/crack' preparations. These different forms of cocaine have different market features, different patterns of use, and contribute to different problems, all of which need to be understood for effective policy-making and demand reduction responses.
Table of contents
- Prevalence, patterns, and problems
- Market situation
- Intervention projects and new approaches
- Policy issues
