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Sao Paulo to Forcibly Commit Crack Addicts

Brazilian state adopts new strategy amid soaring demand

By the Associated Press

Posted Jan 4, 2013 2:08 PM CST

(AP) – Officials in Brazil's most populous state say they will start forcing adult crack addicts to go to rehabilitation centers in an effort to curb growing use of the drug. The Sao Paulo state plan was announced yesterday and is scheduled to begin in 10 days. Addicts who refuse treatment can be committed against their will by an anti-drug commission of judges, prosecutors, and lawyers.

Demand for crack has grown in recent years and addicts have occupied open-air "crack lands" in cities such as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. A recent study by the Federal University of Sao Paulo found that Brazil is now the world's largest consumer of both cocaine and its crack derivative. About 6 million adults have tried cocaine in some form.
In this photo taken Nov. 22, 2012, an alleged crack addict tries to bite a social worker as she is taken to a nearby shelter in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In this photo taken Nov. 22, 2012, an alleged crack addict tries to bite a social worker as she is taken to a nearby shelter in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.   (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 15 comments
apocalypso
Jan 5, 2013 4:48 PM CST
lol, they should do it like the methadone clinics for heroin. Just switch them over to a comparable prescription that society finds more "acceptable". Crack is a stimulant, so give a diagnosis and allow Adderall or generic amphetamine prescription ("off-label use", see neurontin for example) to substitute... I'd never buy heroin if I had a methadone or oxycontin prescription. This is such a good idea, I'm going to call my doctor right now!
RedWalker
Jan 5, 2013 12:12 PM CST
How about this : give all the drug addicts all the drugs they want, tons of it! Then the smart ones will realize that it's a waste of time and the dumb ones will kill themselves. It's Darwinism at its finest!
Marelicia
Jan 4, 2013 7:40 PM CST
Experts say it will not work and Brazil will just have to find out the hard and expensive way. 1.   You can not help drug addicts unless they want help. 2.  You can not help drug adddicts unless they admit that they are helpless crack addicts and require some help.

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rehab • Brazil • rehabilitation center • Sao Paulo • rehabilitation • drug abuse • crack cocaine

 
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