Pubdate: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 Source: Telegram, The (CN NF) Copyright: 2005 The Telegram Contact: http://www.thetelegram.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/303 Author: Tara Bradbury Mullowney, the Telegram Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone) COCAINE ADDICTS TRY TO KICK HABIT Cocaine is so much of a problem in Newfoundland and Labrador that a chapter of Cocaine Anonymous has recently been established in St. John's. "You don't even have to go downtown to get (cocaine)," said one young St. John's man who co-founded the local chapter. "It's extremely easy to get -- up on the shore, in the Goulds, wherever you live." The Cocaine Anonymous (CA) organization was first founded in 1982 in Hollywood, and adapted from the program developed by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in 1935. Taking Steps Although not affiliated with AA, CA members follow a similar 12-step recovery method, which involves members admitting they are powerless over cocaine and that their lives had become unmanageable because of it. Members make a decision to turn their lives and will over to the care of God, and make a list of people they may have harmed and are willing to make amends to them. And, after having a spiritual awakening to the 12 steps, they try to carry the same message to other addicts. The St. John's chapter of CA was formed early last month, out of dire need, the founder said. "I felt this city needed it and I knew a lot of people who needed it," he said. The man cannot be named because of the organization's anonymity policy. "Cocaine is already a big problem here, and most people just don't know about it." Barry Hewitt, manager of Addictions Services, agreed that cocaine is a significant problem in this province. At the Recovery Centre in Pleasantville, he said, 14 per cent of patients admitted so far this year have been cocaine addicts. A further 10 per cent were poly-drug addicts, meaning they dabbled in a variety of drugs, including cocaine. Many cocaine addicts have done well at the Recovery Centre, Hewitt said. "Some people do well, while for others it takes a bit more of a process," he explained. "It's like smoking -- how many smokers can quit on the first try? Some individuals can quit cold turkey, while others need different resources." Cocaine is derived from the leaves of the coca bush, which grows in South America, and today it is a $35-billion illicit industry. There are four main ways of ingesting cocaine: snorting it; mixing it with water and injecting it; converting it into a "freebase" which can then be smoked; or mixing cocaine hydrochloride with ammonia or baking soda and other ingredients, causing it to solidify into pellets ("crack"), which is then smoked in glass pipes. The founder of the local CA chapter said he has met people who have used all methods. The effects of cocaine are immediate, and can include euphoria, wakefulness and loss of appetite. As the effects wear off, depression may set in, and users may "crash." Physical effects of cocaine addiction include swelling and bleeding of mucous membranes, damage to the lungs and nasal cavities, heart attacks, seizures, strokes and respiratory problems. The local founder said while he doesn't know of anyone who has died of a cocaine overdose in this province, he has heard of people dying from respiratory failure as a result of long-time cocaine abuse. Coming off cocaine, he said, is not easy, and withdrawal symptoms are similar to those exhibited by OxyContin use. "Shaking, scratching, muscle pain -- and it can be fatal," he said. Other withdrawal symptoms include depression, agitation, extreme fatigue, vomiting and angry outbursts. The local CA meetings are open to anyone wishing to stop using cocaine, by taking things one day at a time. Like AA and Narcotics Anonymous, members have sponsors -- someone who has recovered who they can turn to in a crisis situation for support. So far, the local group has less than 10 members, and they are male and female of all ages. "It's a place people can come to get support," the co-founder explained. Hewitt applauded the new CA group in this province, and said the more support addicts have, the more likely they are to stop using drugs. "I think it's a great thing -- it's another option for those who want help. The more options they have, the better," he said. Cocaine Anonymous meetings are held in Room 2860 at the Health Sciences Complex Thursday and Sunday from 7:30-9 p.m. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake