Updates on current research

Freebase in mainland France: recent trends

Michel At the end of the 2000s, the OFDT’s Gandilhon, TREND (Emerging Trends and New Drugs) scheme, which focuses on fol- Analysis of and freebase cocaine lowing intense drug-using populations, use and markets from a specific investigation Agnès within the 2011-2012 TREND scheme. Cadet-Taïrou, revealed trends on access to freebase co- caine - including crack cocaine - and its use. These trends were practically undetec- Emmanuel 1 Lahaie table in general population surveys . There was an observed emergence in several pro- vincial cities of micromarkets for freebase cocaine, which was previously produced on a small scale for individual consumption. At the same time, in Paris, the crack market underwent changes in terms of both sup- ply and demand. Given the highly addictive nature of freebase cocaine, the increased accessibility of this drug led TREND to in the United States since the mid-70s; the focus on examining these market changes. crack use phenomenon travelled to main- To confirm and explain the observed phe- land France through the French overseas nomena, in 2011 and 2012, six out of the departments (Martinique, French Guiana, seven TREND sites (Bordeaux, Marseille, Guadeloupe) [1]. Until the early 2000s, use Metz, Paris, Rennes, Toulouse) conduc- of this form of cocaine remained fairly stable ted a specific investigation. This issue of in terms of user profile (the vast majority of Tendances presents the key results. These users were very marginal) and geographic results, along with the data of the SINTES location (use mainly took place in districts (National Detection System of Drugs and in the north of Paris). It was the sharp rise in Toxic Substances) scheme make it possible cocaine use in the general population in the to establish a report on freebase cocaine use second half of the 90s that revealed a new and markets in mainland France. freebase cocaine user profile unlike those being observed at the time in Paris. This QQ new user profile frequented the alternative Reasons for the phenomenon party scene (free parties, underground raves) Freebase cocaine use became a visible pro- of the techno movement and, in contrast to blem in mainland France in the late 80s and the marginalised users in Greater Paris, these early 90s, when an "open drug scene"2 deve- alternative party scene users transformed loped in the North of Paris. At that time, the their cocaine themselves. Most importantly, phenomenon was related to a sort of transfer this new user profile named the obtained to France of the crack epidemic seen in Afri- substance freebase or freebase cocaine, and can American and Latino American ghettos not crack.

Cocaine freebasing: production and effects Transforming cocaine hydrochloride (powder) into freebase cocaine (crack or freebase cocaine) is a multi-step process. Cocaine is first crushed and 1. While marginal in the gene- deposited into a spoon, then mixed with ammonia or sodium bicarbonate. ral population, 0.6% of 15-to- 30-year-olds have engaged The resultant mixture is heated to transform the cocaine into a solid base in lifetime freebase and crack form. The obtained rock is then rinsed with water and broken up into small cocaine use according to the 2010 Health Barometer Photo copyrights : © fet / © U.P.images / © luigipinna - Fotolia.com Photo copyrights : © fet / U.P.images December 2013 pieces for smoking in a pipe that users can produce themselves from cans survey of the INPES (French or bottles. National Institute for Preven- The effects of freebase cocaine are shorter in duration and more intense tion and Health Education). than those of powdered cocaine hydrochloride, when snorted. Inhaling The OFDT’s ESCAPAD Survey on Health and Use on Natio- the drug into the lungs means that it is rapidly detected by the brain nal Defence and Citizenship (within about 10 seconds), generating an intense "sensation of pleasure" Day indicated a rate of 0.8% that lasts a few minutes. This brief high and the subsequent depressive lifetime use among 17-year- olds in 2011. low lead users to engage in compulsive, repetitive use of the substance. n 2. Public places became the preferred site for using and dealing the substance. Printing: Masson / 69, rue de Chabrol - 75010 Paris » parution à légal Dépôt « / 1295-6910 ISSN 90 90 Freebase versus crack

Since 2001, the TREND scheme has Crack in the United States identified two distinct distribution cir- cuits for freebase cocaine in France. Crack appeared on the US market in the late 70s. At the time, it was mainly immigrants The first is for freebase cocaine pro- from the West Indies, and Jamaica in particular, who created this substance, which deve- duced by users themselves and consu- loped on the North American market following geopolitical changes in the cocaine market med as freebase. The second is for crack [2]. Given the short supply of precursors in , and diethyl ether in particular, drug cocaine. Freebase use has developed on traffickers decided to move the refining of cocaine paste (PBC) to the West Indies, or even the alternative party scene, particularly in export the paste directly to Florida in the hope of encouraging local cocaine paste (basuco) Lille, Marseille and Rennes, while crack consumption similar to what was occurring in Latin America at the time. Certain remains somewhat confined to Greater users became accustomed to smoking PBC and, as they immigrated to the United States, Paris, despite the sporadic emergence of contributed to the rise in demand for smokable cocaine. Since PBC use did not spread, dea- local provincial markets. The semantic lers added sodium bicarbonate or ammonia to produce crack, the use of which spread rapi- distinction is crucial because it promotes dly through poor districts of US cities. n the spread of freebase cocaine among certain techno movement populations since many of the users frequenting this scene are convinced they are not using "waste". "Crack still has a negative image. What the analyses say crack, but rather, a substance that is fun- The substance is perceived as […] ‘what is left damentally different. A study named after transforming cocaine paste into powder Within the SINTES scheme, ten samples "Quanti festif" conducted by the OFDT cocaine’. This myth is what maintains the dif- of cocaine hydrochloride with varying in 2004 and 2005 demonstrated a high ferent names for cocaine substances", explains levels of potency were collected from prevalence of lifetime use: over 20% of a TREND observer in Marseille, quoting freebase users, and then each sample was people surveyed had engaged in lifetime a user. divided in to three parts. One of these freebase use, and this prevalence reached In contrast, freebase cocaine has a better parts was directly analysed in a labora- over 40% among "alternative" partygoers reputation among those who use it, at tory, while the two others were analysed [3]. Afterwards, freebase cocaine use be- least, as long as these users believe they after being freebased (10 samples were came established and spread throughout can control their consumption. Two fac- freebased with ammonia and five were France, with a well-anchored Parisian tors explain this difference. One factor is freebased with sodium bicarbonate; the crack scene whose sociodemographic the social context: experienced users who difference was due to logistic reasons). profile has barely changed over time, and frequent free parties or urban parties are Each sample was freebased by the user a freebase cocaine scene that is spreading far removed from the world of the streets. who provided the sample. Each user had to more socially-stable populations [4]. Moreover, there is a certain "prestige" a different level of freebasing experience. To this end, in the 2000s, France expe- attached to making and using freebase The results demonstrated that the sup- rienced the same phenomenon seen in cocaine, which requires expertise, self- posed "purification" of the cocaine by the United States in the 80s, with crack control and experience. This makes the freebasing should be interpreted with use concentrated mainly in African and freebasers a sort of "elite" user group that, caution. All pharmacologically active cut- Latino American ghettos in major cities according to the Metz trend site, shares ting agents (e.g., levamisole, phenacetin, and freebase use seen mainly in white "a distinct sign". The other factor is the diltiazem) present in the sample prior to middle class populations. supposed virtues of freebasing: freebase testing were still present in the freebased users believe that freebasing generates substance, regardless of the freebasing QQ a "purified" cocaine that, thanks to the agent used (ammonia or sodium bicar- A dichotomy ammonia, eliminates cutting agents3 and bonate). purportedly provides more intense effects The analyses revealed an increase in Social status and production than powder cocaine: "There is widespread the mean cocaine potency of freebased user belief that freebasing purifies cocaine." samples, from 47% to 55% for samples User perceptions of a given substance are "Through freebasing, you remove all of those transformed with ammonia, and 52% to primordial to understanding the spread in little impurities so that you’re left with qua- 59% for samples transformed with so- freebase cocaine use seen in the 2000s. It lity cocaine, the very essence of cocaine, really." dium bicarbonate. The "yield" (obtained is likely that the slow spread in crack use (Ethnographic Fieldnote/Rennes) potency/starting potency) was therefore in France, and the inability of crack use slightly positive, but on average, identical to become entrenched outside of Grea- Non-users’ negative perceptions regardless of the reagent used, and said ter Paris, is due to the negative image of reagent could not be identified in the this substance among users and non-users Outside the circle of users, especially finished substance. Based on the limited alike. Subsequently, it is not the intrinsic those who frequent the techno party number of samples, these variations in effects of the substance that limit its more scene, freebase cocaine has a fairly nega- yield mainly seem related to the opera- widespread use, but rather, the social sta- tive reputation. Its production and use ting procedure used and expertise4. The tus of those who use it. While the signi- requires a certain isolation, which runs purity of the final substance is therefore ficant spread in French cocaine use that counter to the party image. In addition, mainly related to that of the initial subs- started in the 90s was due in large part the relatively violent effects that fol- tance. For three out of 10 samples, the to the drug’s association with the party low use, as well as the possible frequent yield was less than one, i.e., the cocaine scene and show business, crack’s negative compulsive use that ensues, triggers fear: potency was lower in the transformed image was exacerbated by the profile of unlike ecstasy or cocaine hydrochloride, substance than in the starting substance its users, who were generally associated freebase cocaine is not always considered, with the most extreme socially margi- by users and non-users alike, a party drug. nal situations. Furthermore, in addition In addition, the fact that certain regular 3. This differentiation, through which crack and freebase differ due the substance used for transformation (either sodium bicarbonate to this negative image of crack users, the freebase users also use , a substance or ammonia), is based on the fact that the sodium bicarbonate TREND scheme observers also noted a that is still frequently demonised on the transformation technique is, according to certain users, more com- plex for an individual user, and used mainly by "professionals" who certain number of "beliefs" circulating party scene, to control coming down off transform large quantities of substance where crack markets exist. among freebase users. According to these of freebase cocaine, decreases the subs- 4. The limited number of samples analysed meant that real statisti- beliefs, crack is produced from cocaine’s tance’s popularity. cal relationships could not be identified.

2 90

(for two ammonia-freebased samples in 2012 [5]. Smoking enables injecting situation has changed somewhat with the and one bicarbonate-freebased sample). drug users, including cocaine injectors, to appearance of provincial micromarkets. Given the current street cocaine (hydro- keep from further damaging their veins In addition, crack distribution in Paris is chloride) market5, for which nearly half while still continuing to use their pre- developing. of all seized quantities had a purity of less ferred substance. Furthermore, smoking than 20% and for which 70% had purity promotes a certain form of harm reduc- Are new dealing sites emerging in of less than 40% in 2012, it can be estima- tion, since it avoids injection, which can provincial France? ted that half of the freebase cocaine cur- lead to hepatitis C virus and AIDS trans- rently consumed has potency of less than mission6. Contrary to what was feared when crack 30%, and that one out of seven samples Since 2010, it seems that the spread of first appeared in Paris, the crack market has potency of above 50%. freebasing is also in response to a de- model never really spread to provincial At the same time, about a dozen samples cline in the purity of cocaine circulating France. Of course, during the 2000s, collected on the crack market were ana- in France [6]. For some users, freebase small crack dealing sites cropped up, like lysed. Although the analyses demonstra- cocaine enables them not only to expe- in Toulouse, or more recently, Marseille, ted that the same cutting agents are pre- rience the effects related to this substance but these sites did not last. Ethnographic sent, the purity levels were 60% to 70% in particular, but also to re-experience observations conducted at the time de- (65% on average). Therefore, it appears the sensations that snorting a mediocre- monstrated that this expansion of crack that despite beliefs, crack that is sold as quality substance cannot provide, all was usually the result of user-dealers from is on the traditional market is of higher against a background in which smoking, Paris or French overseas departments purity than freebase cocaine. This most of heroin among others, has been on the passing through. These limited dealing likely can be explained by the fact that rise in France for several years [6]. scenes did not have a real customer base, crack is produced by "professional" probably due to the bad reputation crack freebasers (see below the "new markets" New crack user profiles has due to the effects of its use. section) who source purer cocaine from However, since 2011, Bordeaux, Mar- wholesalers. In mainland France, the number of crack seille and Toulouse have experienced users in 2010 has been estimated at 11,350 the appearance of small freebase cocaine QQ to 20,000 individuals [7]. A large majority markets run by cocaine or freebase- Freebase cocaine users of these users come from Greater Paris: consuming user-dealers. Contrary to although the national average for recent Paris, the substances sold in these cities Experienced freebase users crack use (crack purchased as crack) was are "artisanal", and not "industrial". Also, approximately 17.5% among CAARUD sales do not take place through structured Today, like in the 2000s, freebase users are clients in France, it was 48.0% in Greater networks supported by the cannabis resin most often travellers. These are people Paris, and only 6.0% in all other regions market. who travel across Europe to raves and free of mainland France7. This user profile has These micromarkets seems to cater to parties hidden in protective lorries that are not changed much in the last 20 years. demand coming from users who like conducive to freebase cocaine consump- The majority of crack users are in very freebase cocaine but are inexperienced in tion due to the constraints of producing precarious, socially marginal situations freebasing cocaine. "What seems to induce this substance: "It’s given that freebasing and engage in compulsive use. The 2012 some buyers to purchase already-freebased requires people to remain hidden and in small ENaCAARUD survey also revealed a cocaine is the fear of substance loss if the 'coo- groups so that, in these vehicles, use can be population that was older than the mean king' is no good." (Ethnographic Field- organised, generally for a limited circle of frien- CAARUD client age - 38.0 years of age note/Bordeaux) For others, especially ds." (Ethnographic Fieldnote/Metz). versus 34.1 years of age for all CAARUD marginal polydrug users or people with There is also an increase in the use of the clients - and there were proportionally limited financial resources, such purchases substance during private parties for more more women [5]. are motivated by financial factors. It is socially integrated populations who come However, since 2010, TREND scheme difficult to tell whether or not this phe- together for freebasing "sessions". This use observers in Paris have witnessed a change nomenon will last. In any event, the crack occurs rarely during party events, where in the northeast Paris crack user profile. As cocaine versus freebase cocaine dichoto- snorted cocaine hydrochloride tends to a result, dealers are being increasingly vi- my is becoming blurred. As a result, from be used. The common denominator for sited by socially integrated users. Some of Metz to Toulouse, users who frequent these users is experience, not only with these users are starting to experience more deal sites speak of "freebase cocaine", cocaine, but also with other substances. precariousness, which given the increasing or even "crack" when referring to the Therefore, users less frequently consume price of cocaine hydrochloride8, means substance they use, a sign that may indi- freebase cocaine, both because they fear that they can no longer purchase powder cate that users are realising that freebase its powerful effects and because it is not as cocaine and transform it themselves. As a cocaine and crack cocaine really are, toxi- easily obtained as cocaine powder. This is result, they fulfil their needs on the crack cologically, one and the same: "As far as why the TREND scheme observers insist market: large "rocks" of crack cocaine sell crack is concerned, it clearly seems at the site that, in the majority of cases, experienced for 35 to 40 Euros apiece, and small rocks that an acculturation processes is underway. users consume freebase cocaine and its sell for as little as 5 to 10 Euros. The me- […] This crack use is different from the model use tends to take place after a long period dian price of a gram of powder cocaine familiar to all experts that arose from the West of snorting cocaine [4]. was as high as 76 Euros in 20129. There Indies, New York, or the street. We are not tal- However, although more socially inte- is also a population of users who do not grated populations tend to use freebase master the techniques required to freebase cocaine, ENaCAARUD surveys (Natio- cocaine. These two profiles also exist out- 5. The cocaine used by users who freebase for their own use and nal surveys of low-threshold CAARUD side of Paris (Bordeaux, Toulouse, Mar- people close to them. 6. It should be noted, however, that HCV and HBV transmission can structures) demonstrate that freebasing is seille), where micromarkets for freebase occur when sharing crack and freebase pipes. on the rise, including among more mar- cocaine have cropped up. 7. If we take into account all use of freebase cocaine, including crack, 24.2% of all CAARUD clients are concerned and in Greater Paris, this ginalised users. Subsequently, the 2012 number rises to 51.1%. survey revealed a higher prevalence than QQ New markets 8. Since 2011, the Baromètre-prix price report of the TREND scheme in the previous year’s survey: 32.9% of last and the Central Office for the Repression of Drug-related Offences (OCRTIS) have been reporting an increase in the mean price of a month cocaine users claimed that they Although Paris has historically held a gram of powder cocaine to around 65-70 Euros in France. had used freebase cocaine versus 23.4% in monopoly over the French freebase co- 9. A gram of cocaine can produce a "large rock" of freebase co- 2008, or 11.9% of all CAARUD clients caine market, for the last few years the caine, which can then be divided into smaller rocks.

3 king here about large rocks, pipes or buying from dissements of Paris. Ethnographic observa- exist. The first market is structured, and still "modous" (traditional dealers from West Africa). tions reveal "a truly professional structure based limited to Paris. This market offers a more […] Users buy crack by the gram from people on efficiency (no lost time, no lateness) and orga- concentrated freebase cocaine substance they know who have developed supply for a nisation to protect the network from law enforce- that is transformed on a larger scale from specific demand." (Ethnographic Fieldnote/ ment […]." (Ethnographic Fieldnotes/Paris) purer powder cocaine. The other market is Toulouse) This situation is not only changing in emerging in provincial French cities, and terms of dealing, but also in terms of the is erratic and fragmented. The substance Changes in the Paris crack market customer base, which tends to come from supplied is of lower purity, and this lower a more socially integrated universe, thereby quality is directly related to the lower qua- For the last five years or so, the Paris mar- confirming this new demand for already- lity of the circulating cocaine in these areas. ket has been changing in two key ways. freebased cocaine by users who no longer Contrary to popular belief, crack cocaine First, the main dealer profile has changed. consider freebase and crack cocaine to be and freebase cocaine have identical toxi- Instead of modous10 from West Africa, a new fundamentally different. cological profiles. Therefore, the "purifi- type of dealer, who generally sells cannabis cation" myth has been disproven through resin in the Paris social housing estates, is QQ analyses. getting involved in crack dealing. This phe- Conclusion Finally, although freebase cocaine continues nomenon became visible in 2008, and was The use of "freebase cocaine" has been on to enjoy a positive reputation among users characterised by territorial disputes that the rise in France in the last 20 years. This is due to its supposed higher "purity", ethno- succeeded in at least partially evicting tradi- not the result of an expansion of the crack graphic surveys seem to indicate that the tional dealers and replacing them with more scene, which remains more or less limited to substance’s poor image among non-consu- structured organisations. These organisa- the north of Paris, but rather, comes from ming populations represents a limitation to tions are part of the more general changes the techno movement. the potential spread of its use in mainland in the drug market, in which cocaine and Today, freebase cocaine use is marginal in France. This is especially true given the cannabis resin are more increasingly being the general population, but continues to ex- increasingly visible social and health issues sold at well-established points of sale in the pand through certain sectors of the techno related to this use [8]. social housing estates of northern Paris, or party scene and through more preca- in the bordering département of Seine- rious users. This phenomenon may further Saint-Denis. In keeping with this trend, develop due to the loss of patience by some there is an apparent permanency, similar to cocaine users for increasingly lower quality the cannabis resin distribution model, being product, and the development in the supply established in the hallways of social housing of freebase cocaine outside of Greater Paris. 10. This term comes from the West African Wolof language, and means estate buildings in the 19th and 20th arron- Two metropolitan markets currently co- «small-scale merchant».

bibliography

1. MERLE S. and VALLART M., "Martinique, Guyane : les spécificités de l’usage ultra-marin", In COSTES J. M., Les usages de drogues illicites en France depuis 1999 vus au travers du dispositif TREND, Saint-Denis, OFDT, 2010, pp. 62-72. methodological 2. OGD (OBSERVATOIRE GÉOPOLITIQUE DES DROGUES), Atlas mondial des drogues, Paris, PUF, 1996, 250 pages. references points

3. REYNAUD-MAURUPT C. and CADET-TAÏROU A., "Psychoactive substances among Electro party scene enthusiasts", Tendances, no. 56, 2007, 4 pages. The specific "crack/freebase" investigation 4. REYNAUD-MAURUPT C. and HOAREAU E., Les Carrières de consommation de cocaïne chez les was conducted in 2011 and 2012 at six of usagers « cachés », Saint-Denis, OFDT, 2010, 273 pages. the seven TREND scheme sites: Bordeaux, Marseille, Metz, Paris, Rennes, Toulouse. This 5. SAÏD S., CADET-TAÏROU A. and MARTINEZ M., Résultats ENaCAARUD 2012. Profils et pratiques research was conducted using the scheme’s des usagers, Saint-Denis, OFDT, in press. traditional data collection tools: ethnographic surveys on the party scene (free parties, dis- 6. CADET-TAÏROU A., GANDILHON M. et al., "Markets, products, users: recent trends (2011-2012). cotheques, private parties) and in the urban TREND national scheme’s observations on illegal or misused psychotropic drugs", Tendances, setting (CAARUDs, squats, the street), user no. 86, 2013, 8 pages. interviews, "law enforcement" and "health" focus groups, and SINTES analyses. 7. JANSSEN E., "Estimation du nombre d’usagers de crack en France métropolitaine", In For a detailed presentation of the TREND POUSSET M., Cocaïne, données essentielles, Saint-Denis, OFDT, 2012, p. 92. scheme, please refer to Tendances issue no. 86 [6]. 8. AIRDDS BRETAGNE and GRVS, Usage de cocaïne basée. Guide prévention destiné aux professionnels, Paris, DGS, MILDT, 2014, 80 pages. Photo copyrights : © fet / © U.P.images / © luigipinna - Fotolia.com Photo copyrights : © fet / U.P.images

To the members of the TREND scheme who French Monitoring Centre on Drugs

and Drug Addiction supervised the specific investigation: Aurélie Director of publication 3, avenue du Stade-de-France Lazès-Charmetant (Bordeaux); Mateo Fano, Maud Pousset 93218 Saint-Denis-La-Plaine cedex Étienne Zurbach (Marseille); Michel Monzel Tél. : +33 (0)1 41 62 77 16 /Fax : +33 (0)1 41 62 77 00 (Metz); Grégory Pfau, Malika Amaouche Editorial Committee e-mail : [email protected] (Paris); Guillaume Girard, Guillaume Pavic, Christian Ben Lakhdar, Emmanuelle Godeau, (Rennes); Guillaume Sudérie (Toulouse). Bruno Falissard, Fabien Jobard, Serge Karsenty An also to: Catherine Reynaud-Maurupt Editor in chief (GRVS), Matthieu Chalumeau (AIRDDS) and Julie-Émilie Adès

credits Sayon Dambélé (OFDT). Graphic designer / Frédérique Million Documentation / Isabelle Michot www.ofdt.fr 4 Printing: Masson / 69, rue de Chabrol - 75010 Paris » parution à légal Dépôt « / 1295-6910 ISSN