High dose cocaine use in Sao Paulo: A comparison of treatment and community samples

This cross-sectional study investigates patterns of drug use and associated problems among 332 cocaine users from treatment and community samples in S ao Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS). The majority were regular users of high doses of smoked cocaine. After controlling for severity of cocaine use , users in the community were found to be more involved in illegal activiti es, more likely to report adverse effects of cocaine, to be involved in pro stitution, and to have lived on the streets. Better methods are required to provide interventions to tackle the problems and risk behaviors of these c ocaine users.