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When we think about drugs and drug addiction, the first thing that comes to mind usually isn’t the face of a 14-year-old child. However, the city of Buenos Aires is facing an increasing drug-use problem…among children.

As it turns out, the use of paco (which is a smokable cocaine residue) has risen among children as well as the poor in Buenos Aires. According to an article published by Timesonline, paco is extremely toxic and is actually more addictive than crack; and similar to crack, it can cause all sorts of health problems such as brain damage. So, what exactly is paco? Paco goes by several different names. It is most commonly known as the “poor man’s cocaine” or “pasta de cocaina”. It is a cheap, highly addictive street drug used by children and young people living on the streets of Argentina as well as other South American countries.

What are the Effects?

The effects of Paco are similar to cocaine and can cause irreparable damage to the brain and internal organs as well as rapid weight loss (combined with the poverty already felt by users of this drug). The drug is extremely powerful and highly addictive, sometimes requiring addicts to acquire around 60 fixes a day! It is extremely widespread in Buenos Aires and other South American countries where drugs such as cocaine is manufactured. Paco is made from the chemical leftovers from when coca leaves are turned into cocaine. The drug is considered so toxic that drug traffickers actually used to throw these leftovers away. If a person becomes highly addictive to paco, their life expectancy isn’t estimated to be that long- life expectancy is usually between one and six months.

What is Being Done?

While several attempts have been made by the Argentinian government to deter the use, production or sale of the materials that would be needed to manufacture this drug, drug traffickers simply worked their way around it. The problem with this particular drug and its widespread use is also compounded by the fact that the Bolivian president, Evo Morales lifted restrictions on growing coca plants. In the past two years, the number of people who are addicted to paco in Argentina alone has nearly tripled though officials are sure that this number is significantly higher. So, now the question for the people in Argentina becomes, “What do we do next?”

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Tags: Addiction, Drug News //