[Perception of crack users in relation to use and treatment]

The aim was to know the perception of crack/cocaine users about the use and treatment in a midsize general hospital, located in Rio Grande do Sul. It is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research that used semi-structured interviews with eight crack users,from September to October 2010. To analyze the data, we used content analysis from which two semantic categories emerged: drug use and seeking treatment. It was evidenced that drug use initiation in adolescence is related to social access or easy economic access, excessive load on studies and work, stress and not knowing about the possibility of chemical dependency, friends and family members influences, who also influence them on seeking treatment. We conclude that it is necessary to investigate the issue of crack users better and support actions on consume reduction, prevention and education to users.