May 11th , 2008.

Argentina's Cocaine Problem

A highly addictive smokable cocaine residue, known as paco, has emerged in Argentina over the
past five years and destroyed thousands of lives.

South American neighborhoods like Ciudad Oculta, a slum in Buenos Aires, have become dumping
grounds for paco, a cheap and highly addictive smokable cocaine residue. The drug has destroyed
thousands of lives in Argentina.
An addict sells individual doses of paco so that she can afford to consume it herself. For about $1.50,
users can buy enough of this type of cocaine for a 15-minute high.
A 45-year-old paco user in Ciudad Oculta. Argentina's deep financial crisis in late 2001 turned places like
Ciudad Oculta into what are known here as villas miserias, or towns of misery, easily exploitable markets
of impoverished people looking for escape.
Since 2003, paco has so deeply penetrated Argentine slums like Ciudad Oculta that it has become the
dominant drug peddled by dealers. In a paradox, efforts by Argentina and Brazil to restrict the chemicals
used to refine cocaine have actually contributed to the surge in lower-grade cocaine in poor
neighborhoods.
Women with drug-addicted children or husbands meet weekly in Ciudad Oculta to discuss their
problems. The mothers have few ways to counter the armed dealers who hold sway over the
neighborhood.
The scourge of paco has taken its toll on the children of Bilma Acuña. Two of her sons are addicts, and
another was killed by drug dealers.
Pablo Eche, 25, Mrs. Acuña's oldest son, became addicted to paco in 2003. Three months after smoking
his first pipe, he sold anything he could to get cash for paco. In a drug-fueled rage, he destroyed the
house his mother had given him, and then sold the land that was left.
These days, Mr. Eche, in the blue shirt, is recovering from his addiction at a drug-dependency clinic,
using methods like this therapy session to help stay off paco. He says he has been clean since October.
Mr. Eche's sister Sabrina visits him at the drug rehabilitation center. "The future is uncertain," Mr. Eche
says. "But I am getting back my dreams."