"Virado": Why Are Crack Cocaine Users Migrating to This New Form of Crack Cocaine? A Brief Report

The study is a brief report that explores why crack cocaine users prefer "Virado " and the consequences of this switch. "Virado " is produced by associating crack cocaine with boric acid, resulting in a soluble product aspirated nasally. A qualitative study was conducted with a criteria-based purposeful sample of thirty-nine users. Unlike crack cocaine, "Virado " curbs unpleasant effects (craving and psychosis), provides greater sociability and association with happy environments, and reduces risk behaviors. However, users suffer from nasal mucosa bleeding problems due to the boric acid's action, which can have consequences due to straw sharing to sniff the drug. This straw is contaminated with blood and secretions and can be passed on to others, exposing them to the risk of contracting blood-borne diseases. "Virado " is a harm reduction strategy that can reduce the mortality of crack cocaine users.