The rocky road – crack in Brazil

Some cities in Brazil are in the throes of a crack epidemic, particularly large urban centres like Sao Paulo. From a research point of view, remarkably little is known about crack users in Brazil (Nappo et ai 1994; Dunn et al, 1996). Their demographic characteristics, patterns of use and long-term outcome are unknown the subject of anecdote and conjecture but few facts. One of the most fascinating and recent studies to be published on this subject comes not from a psychiatrist, but a telejournalist Marco Antonio UchA a(1996). His investigation covers the full cast of characters involved in the crack problem: leaders of drug cartels, drug dealers, those who 'cook-up' crack in their