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.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake