�������������������������������������������������������������������� �Crack� Cocaine Addiction

���� Have you ever used more cocaine than you planned?� Crack cocaine is playing a major role in failures and broken promises in the lives of people using it.� Addiction to crack can take away the drive to do anything except more crack.� This addiction is so driven that nothing else seems to matter.� Crack cocaine addiction is destroying judgement, will, and lives; but there is treatment available.

���� CA gives devastating evidence of crack use.� According to the book, some results of crack addiction are: physical pain, close to death experiences from overdose, and death (CA 22).� DHHS shows crack cocaine is threatening to all aspects of life and increases both heart rate and blood pressure.

���� This addiction becomes the total life focus.� According to Allen and Jekel, there is a psychological and social effect from the use of crack (45).� Crack cocaine is a highly addictive drug, once used, it becomes the root of the problems (CA 25).� The powerful obsession to have it, causes actions that are not considered normal.� Cocaine is known to effect the brain activity and social life becomes close to none.� Allen and Jekel give strong evidence on why crack is so addictive (45).

���� Johanson provides, in her book, scientific facts of cocaine effects on the body and life (24).� She states; �There is fatigue, depression, and general lack of motivation that often occur after the initial euphoria of a cocaine dose subsides (Johanson 34).�

���� According to Minkler and Roe, the family is directly effected by cocaine addiction (157).� Lack of communication and abandonment by parents on crack is a huge problem.� The addict and families� lives are forced to demoralization.� Children are being born already addicted to crack cocaine.� The care for these children changes lives and gives cause for adjustments.� CA provides living proof of the effects on other people involved or associated (27).� The book refers to loss of friends, loved ones, and family members (CA 27).

���� Although the situation may sound hopeless, there is help available.� According to CA, thousands of crack addicts are living drug free, and own their lives again by following their solutions (37).� CA promotes continuous attendance to 12 step groups (37).� Johanson illustrates the successful lives of recovering actors and she supports the idea of treatment (81).� Open communication, support groups, and training groups are what Minkler and Roe� find equally important (170).� Allen and Jekel believe treatment is a solution (54).� They provide anyone working with or concerned about the problems of crack addiction with a basic understanding of the destruction caused to a person�s complete life.� DHHS touch many possible solutions from pharmacological treatment to non-pharmacological treatment.

���� All in all, there are many possible or working solutions available today.� There appears to be a sign of hope through the choices of so many solutions.� The actions remains upon� the individual to make.� Although crack is still killing at this time, people can start to live with proper treatment.

�������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Works Cited

���� Allen, David and James Jekel.� Crack: The Broken Promise.� New York: St. Martin�s,������������ 1991.� 7+.

���� Cocaine Anonymous.� We�re Here and We�re Free.� Los Angeles: World Wide Web, 1992.����������� 23-28.

���� Johanson Ellyn Chris, PH.D.� Cocaine: The New Epidemic.� New York: Chelsea House,����������� 1986.� 19+.

���� Minkler, Meredith, and Kathleen Roe.� Grandmothers as care givers: Rasing Children of �����������the Crack Cocaine Epidemic.� Newbury Park: Sage, 1993.� 157-177.

���� United States.� Department of Health and Human Services.� Drug Abuse and Drug Abuse �����������and Drug Abuse Research.� Rockville: DHSS, 1991.� 111-130.