CRACK - AN INHALED FORM OF COCAINE

A new narcotic: Crack is a cocaine base form used by inhalation. Recen t use in France predominates in the socially disadvantaged. The psychi c, somatic and social toll is high with crack. its use is spreading ra pidly and may soon be as common as ecstasy. Neuropsychiatric effects: Crack users experience a sensation of intense pleasure which vanishes rapidly, leaving them with a feeling of sometimes severe depression. S tates of agitation or severely aggressive behavior may ensue. Other ef fects: Crack can cause congestive heart failure, intracerebral hemorrh age, and rhabdomyolysis. Pulmonary complications (lesional edema in ca se of acute overdose, asthma and obliterating bronchiolitis after chro nic intoxication) often occur. Ocular complications have also been des cribed. Psychic dependence: Addiction to crack develops more rapidly t han with opioids or other forms of cocaine.