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Coca Leaf Chewing: a Public Health Assessment *
Author(s) -
Negrete Juan C.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
british journal of addiction to alcohol and other drugs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0007-0890
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1978.tb00155.x
Subject(s) - coca , public health , epidemiology , environmental health , phenomenology (philosophy) , medicine , psychology , psychiatry , philosophy , nursing , epistemology
Summary The epidemiology of coca leaf chewing and its current trends are noted. Although coca leaf production is on the increase, the total number of chewers seems to be diminishing. Socio‐economic progress and better educational opportunities are largely responsible for his tendency. A comparison is made on the phenomenology of coca leaf and pure cocaine use. Evidences of the differences and similarities between them are discussed. The beneficial effects of coca chewing in high altitude living are mentioned and the evidence gathered so far in support of the habits untoward effects on health is assessed. It is concluded that a mild cognitive defect resulting from long‐term use, is probably a major public health problem since it may be directly associated with social stagnation.