# data[].attributes.body
Crack emerged as a drug of abuse in the mid-1980s. It is abused because it produces an immediate high and because it is easy and inexpensive to produce--rendering it readily available and affordable. National Household Survey on Drug Abuse indicate that an estimated 6,222,000 U.S. residents aged 12 and older used crack at least once in their lifetime. 150,000 individuals aged 12 to 17 and 1,003,000 individuals aged 18 to 25 used the drug at least once. Crack cocaine use among high school students is a particular problem. Nearly 4% of high school seniors in the United States used the drug at least once in their lifetime, and more than 1 percent used the drug in the past month, according to the University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future Survey.

# data[].attributes.headline
Uses and Effects. What is the drug used for?  How does it affect the body?

# data[].attributes.subject
Uses and Effects. What is the drug used for?  How does it affect the body?

# data[].attributes.body
Cocaine, is a powerfully addictive drug, and addiction seems to develop more quickly when the drug is smoked as crack is than snorted as powdered cocaine typically is. In addition to the usual risks associated with cocaine use constricted blood vessels; increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; and risk of cardiac arrest and seizure, crack users may experience acute respiratory problems, including coughing, shortness of breath, and lung trauma and bleeding. Crack cocaine smoking also can cause aggressive and paranoid behavior.

# data[].attributes.body
Crack cocaine is a highly addictive and powerful stimulant that is derived from powdered cocaine using a simple conversion process. Crack is nearly always smoked. Smoking crack cocaine delivers large quantities of the drug to the lungs, producing an immediate and intense euphoric effect.

# data[].attributes.headline
Final Thought. Click on the three dots and go to voice. Record a final thought.  What surprised you the most about what you learned or want the viewer to remember?

# data[].attributes.subject
Final Thought. Click on the three dots and go to voice. Record a final thought.  What surprised you the most about what you learned or want the viewer to remember?

# data[].attributes.headline
World Connection. Link to a recent article and explain, in your own words, how other countries are handling problems with this drug. 

# data[].attributes.subject
World Connection. Link to a recent article and explain, in your own words, how other countries are handling problems with this drug. 

# data[].attributes.body
The U.S. need to change so we can be on the side of recovery. No one country has the right answer, as it may not be possible to have one “right” answer. Despite the ongoing debate, however, perhaps we can all agree that addiction is a public health issue and not a crime – not something to be handled solely by the judicial system. We need more solutions in our arsenal and more resources brought to bear to deal with this growing problem in our homes, on our streets, and in our workplaces.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Different countries have a variety of problems to solve. One increasingly common one is drug addiction. In the United States, over 2.2 million people who have been incarcerated for drugs, far more than any other country in the world. We have more than Russia (a mere 676,000), and India (only 385,000), which are both nominal figures in comparison to their respective populations.

Our domestic war on drugs keeps our prisons full, but we continue to fight this battle with no end in sight.

However, if we consider addiction as a global disease, it begs the question, "How do other countries treat addiction, and is there another solution we should consider?"

Let's look at the drug policies, community efforts and treatment initiatives available on foreign soil, weigh the differences, and compare the outcomes.

European Union Casts a Wide Net on Drug Treatment

Portugal's Experiment

For much of the 20th century, Portugal was a closed, Catholic society, with a military dictator and virtually no drug education.

After the revolution in 1974 which toppled the dictatorship, the Portuguese had the freedom to do whatever they liked.

Unfortunately, that freedom opened the door for drugs, though the population was completely naïve about the potential repercussions.

By the 1990s, one percent of its people were hooked on heroin, prompting the Portuguese government to try a novel approach: They decriminalized all drugs for personal use and provided mandatory drug treatment for users.

Since that time, Portugal's drug-induced death rate has plummeted to a level that is five times lower than the European Union average, with a drop in drug use across the board as well.

For every person in Portugal who cannot escape addiction, there's daily:

A generation ago, these addicts were put in jail. Now, they're on the street, getting help.

The Netherlands Drug Policy

It is common knowledge that one can buy and smoke cannabis openly in the many coffee shops of Amsterdam and other Dutch cities.

Their government realized that buying illicit marijuana put users in contact with dealers who also sold harder drugs.

By having these coffee shops in place, people were less likely to get a hold of the harder drugs.

This open policy has been in place since the mid-seventies. Cannabis and other drugs are still illegal, but personal use has been decriminalized.

Intravenous drugs, such as heroin, although still a problem, have diminished in use as well.

Those addicted are either given a safe place to shoot up or provided methadone as replacement therapy.

In 1998, the Dutch government introduced heroin-assisted drug treatment, specifically synthetic, injectable heroin to opiate addicts who cannot tolerate other treatments.

The Dutch drug policy is an approach that focuses on easily accessible health care, harm reduction and prevention, resulting in less severe medical conditions found in these users.

Switzerland Supports Drug Users

In the 1980s, a prominent park in downtown Geneva was occupied by thousands of heroin addicts and their dealers.

This once peaceful park, Platzspitz Park, ultimately became known as Needle Park due to the amount of addicts shooting up there.

In Bern and Zurich, they had a similar problem as the incidences of HIV infections and drug overdose deaths rose.

Crime escalated, law enforcement and the judicial system were overwhelmed, prosecuting about 20,000 drug cases a year.

The Swiss, being ever pragmatic, decided to help the drug users instead of incarcerating them, and to just prosecute the dealers.

In 1994, they passed what is known as the Four Pillars Law:

This included safe havens for injection, methadone treatment, and slow-release morphine or heroin which is not available in the U.S.

It also included opioid substitution therapy (or medication-assisted treatment). The policies became as much about public order as about public health and safety.

Prevention

Repression (or law enforcement).

The number of opioid related deaths, new HIV infections, as well as Hepatitis C cases dropped significantly. Burglary became almost non-existent and everyone, from drug users to the general public, felt safer.

As such, the police are able to concentrate on the dealers and the drug black market, while users are given better quality heroin and heroin substitutes by the government to stabilize their substance use disorder.

Croatia's Liberal Drug Policies

Croatia decriminalized marijuana in 2012 and liberalized their policies on harder drugs, such as heroin and other opioids, cocaine, and amphetamines.

Now, only the dealers are getting jail time.

The users are getting rehab treatment, fines, community service, or a combination of all three.

Opioid use is still the number one problem; however, Croatian National Health covers treatment for all drug users.

The government is trying to reduce the demand and the supply of drugs while maintaining the overall health of their citizens.

This includes harm reduction and treatment (for users) and law enforcement (for dealers), as well as drug related research.

Since Croatia is mostly a transit country for illicit drugs, the main focus of law enforcement is reducing drug quantities entering the country.

On a local level, policing music festivals and the like is equally important to reduce the supply and the related crimes.

The Czech Republic Treats Drug Users

In 1997, the Czech Republic introduced Methadone Maintenance Treatment centers to combat opioid use.

By 2008, 14 MMT centers were seeing over a thousand patients a year.

Since 2012, the government has upped their expenditure on drug treatment.

Now, the numbers of heavy drug users and overdose deaths have dropped.

The Czech government still prosecutes major drug traffickers and distributors. On the other hand, they offer harm reduction programs, like needle exchange programs, along with counseling and infectious disease tests.

Other measures the government instigated to keep younger children away from any forms of addiction like drugs, alcohol, and tobacco have made a difference in keeping children under 16 from using illegal substances.

South America and Canada, Closer to Home

Uruguay and Pot

In 2013, Uruguay legalized marijuana and actually started selling it, rather than allowing the cartels to prosper.

By undercutting the drug dealers with $1 per gram pricing, the government freed up resources to focus on drug traffickers and black market dealers.

Using harder drugs in Uruguay is also not illegal. However, selling or dealing in heroin and cocaine is still a crime.

The government designed a new set of legal, commercial and bureaucratic tools to:

Supplant a violent illegal narcotics market

Improve public health

Protect individual rights

Raise tax revenues

Research the medical potential of the world's most widely used drug

While the general public did not like the laws, Uruguay's handling of the cannabis issue has become a model for some of our own states' cannabis laws.

The law in Uruguay explicitly aimed at improving public health.

In its preamble, there is a provision that explains the guiding principle of the law - to "promote and improve the health of the general population" through reducing the harms associated with cannabis use.

In 2005, Uruguay created a fund using monies and property seized from drug trafficking and money laundering activities. They launched some of the programs like drug use prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programs, and law enforcement strengthening.

Just in recent years, they seized drug money from traffickers and used it to fund new addiction treatment centers in the capital that include emergency treatment, as well as short and long term addiction treatment.

Ecuadorian Drug Law Reform

Ecuador's proximity to cocaine producing countries had, in the past, made the government crack down hard on any drug possession.

In 2008, the Ecuadorian government started giving amnesty to people who had transported drugs as mules. This is their attempt to humanize the drug laws.

Ecuador legalized marijuana in 2013. And in 2015, the Organic Law on the Integrated Prevention of Drugs and the Use of Controlled Substances was enacted.

This put the emphasis on public health and decriminalized possession for personal use, setting thresholds for those amounts.

Drug treatment facilities became state regulated. Most of Ecuador's counter-narcotics activities focused on combating the public health issue of drug dependence.

By 2016, street dealers and "micro-traffickers" were addressed. Better surveillance tactics were used on major drug trafficking routes, increasing seizures of cocaine supply.

Ecuador took a page out of Portugal's laws, emulating their approach to handling drug use. With it, they have seen drug related deaths decrease and drug use stabilize.

However, despite efforts to control the borders of Colombia and Bolivia, two of the major cocaine producing countries, more and more cocaine is going through Ecuador.

Canada Sees Drug Addiction as a Public Health Issue

The Canadian government considers itself to be on the forefront of drug issues.

In 1996, they pass a law putting all drugs in a schedule from I to VIII.

Schedules I and II carrying punishments ranging in severity up to life imprisonment. Schedule VII drugs becoming almost misdemeanors (only six months in jail and $1,000 fine).

By 2001, Canada legalized cannabis for terminally ill patients, and, in October of 2018, marijuana use became completely legal.

The purpose of the Cannabis Act was, and is, to protect public health, public safety, and to create a strict legal framework to control the production, distribution, sale, and possession of cannabis across Canada.

Other drugs remain illegal, however, the Canadian national health system provides addiction rehab facilities across the country to the public.

Unfortunately, wait times to get into them are long.

Here, drug use is considered a public health issue and addiction as a global disease due to its crippling nature.

Other Countries Treat Addiction Less Punitively

There is a lot of fear and misunderstanding when it comes to substance use disorders.

When we take a look at how the United States views drug use and those who engage in the production and distribution of these illegal substances, comparatively speaking, Americans often take a cold, hard line of judgment.

By promoting the stigmas associated with drug addiction, we forget that behind the addict is a person.

There are experts from various countries willing to deny that addiction is a disease, stating that it is 'just a nasty habit.'

But how many other nasty habits have the ability to decay the prefrontal cortex of the brain, other areas of the body, and one's emotional health?

While it is unclear as to whether all other countries see addiction as a disease; how we treat addiction in those who cannot control their use is the global red line.

The United States is, unfortunately, the cornerstone for drug use.

However, our foreign countries seem to have an upper hand in how they treat addiction, by publicly providing the means for individuals and their families to better handle it.

Not coincidentally, other countries don't have the overwhelming numbers of active addiction that we do.

Perhaps foreign governments are better prepared to handle drug addiction than we are.

As with any other health issue, solutions come from knowledge, practice, and mistakes.

Curbing Substance Abuse: An International Plight

No one country has the right answer, as it may not be possible to have one "right" answer.

Despite the ongoing debate, however, perhaps we can all agree that addiction is a public health issue and not a crime - not something to be handled solely by the judicial system.

We need more solutions in our arsenal and more resources brought to bear to deal with this growing problem in our homes, on our streets, and in our workplaces.

Help change U.S. drug addiction statistics, be on the side of recovery.
Do you have an addictive personality? Take the quiz

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Justin Baksh, LMHC, MCAP, Chief Clinical Officer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Status of Addiction in Different Countries and Policies in their war on Drugs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Different countries have a variety of problems to solve. One increasingly common one is drug addiction. In the United States, over 2.2 million people who have been incarcerated for drugs, far more than any other country in the world.

# data[].attributes.body
Crack is produced by dissolving powdered cocaine in a mixture of water and ammonia or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). The mixture is boiled until a solid substance forms. The solid is removed from the liquid, dried, and then broken into the chunks (rocks) that are sold as crack cocaine.

# data[].attributes.headline
Michigan Connection. Link to a recent article and explain how it connects.

# data[].attributes.subject
Michigan Connection. Link to a recent article and explain how it connects.

# data[].attributes.body
Punishment for possession of Cocaine or Crack in Michigan between 50g and 450g of cocaine (felony): Jail term of up to 20 years and fines of as much as $250,000. Possession of between 450g and 1kg of cocaine (felony): Jail term of up to 30 years and a fine of up to $500,000.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you are accused of possession of cocaine or crack in Michigan, hire an excellent lawyer who can get you a great case result. At Grabel & Associates, we know the damage a drug crime conviction could have, and we want to pursue the most favorable result to ensure your quality of life is improved, not harmed. Even if you are under investigation for drug charges, or someone you know has just been arrested for cocaine or crack possession, contact a lawyer as soon as possible. You will need an experienced lawyer to help direct you through your Michigan criminal defense proceedings.

Law Firm for Cocaine Possession in Michigan

Cocaine is a Schedule 2 illegal narcotic in Michigan and possession offenders face serious criminal penalties if convicted. Cocaine can be found in powder form, which is snorted or dissolved and injected, or in a "freebase" form which is smoked. Cocaine also comes in a rock crystal form, called crack cocaine. This powerful stimulant is a popular party drug, and a 2003 study estimated that over 5.9 million Americans over the age of 12 used cocaine in the past year. The popularity of this drug has lead to an elevation in cocaine related crimes, and a greater need for criminal defense lawyers to protect the rights of those who are accused.

Lawyers Defending Clients Accused of Illegal Cocaine or Crack Possession in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Detroit and Throughout Michigan.

Using cocaine or "coke" in any form stimulates the nervous system, and causes a longer attention span, increased alertness, and enhanced motor skills. These stimulations have negative effects, however, and addiction can easily develop leading to a need for stronger doses of the drug. It is important to treat citizens struggling with cocaine addiction, and keep them from filling Michigan prisons. The U.S. is the number one cocaine consumer in the world, and the nation's second most popular drug contributes greatly to the need for experienced criminal defense lawyers.

Our team of attorneys will fight to help people accused of cocaine possession pursue the most beneficial result. We can explore sentencing options aimed at treating rather than punishing, or prove the innocence of a client and achieve a dismissal or court victory. Our lawyers will do everything necessary to obtain the best case outcome.

Punishment for Cocaine or Crack Possession in Michigan

Although cocaine use is a misdemeanor resulting in a maximum jail sentence of one year and possible fine of $2,000, possession of cocaine is a felony with serious criminal punishments. Varying penalties by amount possessed according to the Michigan Penal Code are as follows:

Possession of under 50g of cocaine (felony): Jail term of up to 4 years and a possible fine of up to $25,000.

Possession of between 50g and 450g of cocaine (felony): Jail term of up to 20 years and fines of as much as $250,000.

Possession of between 450g and 1kg of cocaine (felony): Jail term of up to 30 years and a fine of up to $500,000.

Possession of over 1kg of cocaine (felony): Potential life imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000,000.

Possession of any amount of cocaine is an exceptionally serious charge requiring effective criminal defense representation. Contact Grabel & Associates for a free consultation as soon as possible. Hiring a lawyer always works to your benefit, no matter what stage of the criminal process your Michigan case is in.

Charged With Possession of Crack or Cocaine in Michigan

If you have been charged with possession anywhere in Michigan, or someone you love has just been arrested on possession charges, don't speak to police before calling a lawyer. It is best to obtain legal representation before charges are filed, but it is never too late to defend the accusations against you. We want to gain as much leverage as possible in your drug crime case, and stop prosecutors from gaining unfair advantages.

Police officers and detectives know how to make you talk before you gain proper legal representation, and the overwhelming tactics used may end up hurting your case result. It is crucial to your future to allow a competent lawyer to speak on your behalf to avoid self-incrimination. Our premier Michigan law firm understands how to win cocaine and crack possession cases, and our team is experienced in dealing with police tactics in drug crime cases.

Our Superior Approach to Cocaine Possession Charges

We want our clients to stay out of prison, and will aggressively defend you in your cocaine possession case. Michigan prosecutors may allow first-time possession offenders to avoid jail and opt for probation if an influential attorney is representing the accused. If a sentence is necessary, we can help you reach a plea agreement to lessen the severity of charges against you. Our lawyers have experience in Michigan drug courts, and can earn you a result focused on rehabilitation rather than criminal penalty. Whatever result is best for you in your Michigan cocaine or crack possession case, our team of seasoned attorneys knows exactly how to help you achieve your goal.

If you are convicted of a drug crime, additional penalties such as driver's license suspension may also apply. Our lawyers will look at every possible way to get you a great outcome, and will dedicate ample time to investigating the details of your crack possession case. Our lawyers know how to win drug crime cases, and the team at Grabel & Associates will efficiently handle your cocaine possession charge. You need a lawyer who understands the details of your crack possession case, and can help you to understand the legal issues affecting your future in order to help you make informed legal decisions.

We can explore the proceedings that let to your arrest, and uncover any illegal search and seizure or other rights violations that could earn you a case dismissal. Without a lawyer who fully understands cocaine possession defense, you may miss out on pivotal opportunities to earn your freedom. Even if you have already been convicted of a drug crime such as crack possession, our firm offers a full range of first-rate post-conviction and appeal services for Michigan clients. Don't wait to hire a lawyer, call Grabel & Associates now.

Proven Results in Crack Possession Cases - Call 24/7 to Start Defending Michigan Cocaine Charges

Our lawyers have been successfully defending charges of cocaine and crack possession for over a decade, and our firm's commitment to practicing only criminal defense gives us an edge in drug crime defense cases. Our proven results demonstrate our mastery of defense tactics and proficiency in Michigan courts. We will work with you to discover the best possible outcome, and will not rest until that outcome is achieved.

Our experienced case analysts are standing by 24/7 to speak with you at our toll free number, 1-800-342-7896. Call us from anywhere in Michigan to discuss your cocaine possession case and to hear more about the advantage our premier law firm offers. If you or someone you know is accused of crack possession, do not let prosecutors force a jail sentence upon you. An aggressive defense lawyer will uphold your rights in your cocaine possession case, and our high-quality defense services will earn you a great result.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you are accused of possession of cocaine or crack in Michigan, hire an excellent lawyer who can get you a great case result. At Grabel & Associates, we know the damage a drug crime conviction could have, and we want to pursue the most favorable result to ensure your quality of life is improved, not harmed.

# data[].attributes.headline
Treatment. What are the best treatment programs?

# data[].attributes.subject
Treatment. What are the best treatment programs?

# data[].attributes.body
Liberty House Recovery- Luxury Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Michigan
Insight Wellness Center- Addiction Treatment Center
The Detox Center- Medical Detox and Treatment Center

# data[].attributes.headline
Works Cited. Use Easybib.com to create a Works Cited for at least three sources used for this project. Copy and paste into a post.

# data[].attributes.subject
Works Cited. Use Easybib.com to create a Works Cited for at least three sources used for this project. Copy and paste into a post.