[The consumption of "crack" in Paris in 1993. Epidemiological and ethnographic data].

In France, trends of cocaine use have been increasing regularly since 1980. "Crack" has been noticed for the first time in 1987. "Crack" is a smokable form of cocaine which is easily processed starting from cocaine hydrochloride. In 1993 a very important spread of "crack" use has been observed by our street team. It is very clear that "crack" use has been underestimated in Paris. The medical and social management of addicts could be severely affected by this new phenomenon.