How could one drug start an epidemic that still continues today? It’s hard to imagine but crack cocaine is the unfortunate shining example of this.
With countless numbers of people still dealing with this drug addiction that is difficult to overcome, crack continues to be a major villain in the war on drugs. But how did this drug with it’s highly addictive properties become such a prevalent part of the illegal drug market. How did crack cocaine which is one of the top drug addictions in the country, get such a stranglehold on our society?
Through a combination of convenience and affordability, this drug quickly became the drug of choice for many, and the cause of loss, pain and suffering for so many more.
Benchmark Recovery Center realizes the tremendous impact crack cocaine has had on our society and is doing everything we can to help those suffering from drug addiction to recover and regain control of their life. Our recovery program is no stranger to those suffering from this addiction and if you are in need of assistance with recovery or have a loved one in this situation, then we’re here to help and will do what we can to help.
In The Beginning — Crack Cocaine
According the most medical research crack cocaine contains roughly 75 to 90% pure cocaine so it’s easy to see why this particular version of cocaine is so addictive. Its effects are practically instantaneous. Why would anyone develop such a highly addictive and dangerous drug? One word — money. Crack cocaine first started to take shape in the United States during the 1970′s quickly rising in popularity and ultimately becoming an epidemic between the mid eighties and the early nineties.
The main reason this highly addictive drug became so popular was because it was easy to make and even easier to buy than its powdered counterpart. This means that just about anybody could afford to buy it. Now take the simple formula of a drug that creates instant addicts and make it so affordable that anyone could buy it and you suddenly have a limitless money maker for those who stand to profit on the illegal drug trade.
A money maker in the range of billions crack became the ”poor man’s drug.” During the 80s when the country was dealing with an economic recession coupled with the troubles facing many large urban inner cities provided a perfect marketplace to begin its popularity. A popularity that has continued to this day.
At Benchmark Recovery Center, we deal with this addiction every day can see the results this devastating drug has on an individual. Recovery is challenging but not impossible. It takes effort that the dedicated folks at Benchmark Recovery Center put into every resident who comes to our recovery center.
The How and Why — The Crack Cocaine Epidemic
The spread of crack cocaine took on epidemic proportions between 1984 and 1990 when the drugs’ popularity spread throughout major cities in the United States. Because of this epidemic the number of Americans that became addicted to cocaine increased dramatically. For example the number of people in 1985 who admitted to using cocaine increased from 4.2 million to 5.8 million (source: Department of Health And Human Services). And that’s just the people who admitted to being addicted.
During the height of crack cocaine’s popularity in this six year span not only was there an increase in cocaine addicts but also in cocaine-related emergencies, and crime. All this from powder cocaine that’s simply dissolved in a solution of sodium bicarbonate and water then boiled. The “rock” or solid substance separates from the dried and broken or cut into rocks, typically weighing from one-tenth to one-half of a gram.
In effect, a formula for disaster that began two decades ago and continues to plague our society. There is hope though with people like the folks who work to help change the lives of individuals dealing with crack addiction. While crack is not as prominent in the news or popular media as it was, it’s still a problem and one that Benchmark Recovery Center is working hard to help combat each and every day.
