Myth #1: Smokeable cocaine is the same thing as ‘crack’
There is much confusion about what the term ‘smokable cocaine’ refers to. Generally speaking, what is smoked can be divided into two main categories of substances:
1) Cocaine base paste (CBP) is the intermediate product in the extraction process from coca leaves to the final product (cocaine hydrochloride). CBP comes in many shapes and forms and has different names (such as paco, basuco, or pitillo). It is most commonly found in coca growing and processing areas, but not exclusively any more.
2) Free-base cocaine or crack, is produced through a reconversion of cocaine hydrochloride (powder) into a base-cocaine. Different chemicals and cooking procedures may be used to convert it into a smokable form.
In short, the term ‘smokable cocaine’ refers to several substances whose production and consumption are influenced by cultural, socioeconomic, and (geo)political factors, although their physical effects are nearly identical. ‘Crack’ is only one of these varied substances, though probably the most common.
Myth #2: There are no harm reduction measures for smokable cocaine use
Most of the negative consequences related to the use of crack, basuco or coca paste are associated with their method of administration, and the social context in which this occurs, rather than the short-term pharmacological effect of the drug itself. However, there is a relationship between the very short lived effect and the sharp decline felt by users afterwards, which makes its use hard to control.
Despite facing severe socioeconomic exclusion, smokable cocaine users are already practising harm reduction and using self-regulation strategies, for example by using safer smoking kits, or by recalling the principle of ‘bed, bread, and bath’. Nevertheless, the majority of users living on the streets remain neglected, and suffer high degrees of criminalisation and stigmatisation. In addressing this gap, São Paulo’s Braços Abertos harm reduction and socioeconomic welfare programme serves as an important model for the region.