Background: In Chile, cocaine base paste (CBP) is the illegal substance that
produces the highest rate of addiction. Nonetheless, a marginal number of users receive treatment each
year. Aim: To compare the consumption patterns and risk behavior of CBP and cocaine hydrochloride
(CH) users who do not attend rehabilitation services. Material and Methods: In a prospective
research design, through a study methodology called Privileged Access Interview of hidden populations,
28 surveyors recruited 231 CBP users (group 1) and 236 CH users (group 2). The Risk Behavior
Questionnaire was applied in four communities of Metropolitan Santiago, that have the highest
prevalence of PBC and CH use. Results: CBP users showed higher schools drop-out and
unemployment rates. Subjects of both groups were predominantly polysubstance and polyaddicted
users. The severity of addiction to CBP of group 1 was significantly higher than the severity of addiction
to CH of group 2 (5.5 versus 5.1: p<0.001). CBP users showed significantly higher rates of sexual risk
behaviors, antisocial behavior, self infliction of injuries, suicide attempt and child neglect.
Conclusions: A higher vulnerability was shown for users of CBP than those of CH. Attention is drawn
to the need for developing community interventions in order to alter substance abuse and the risk
behavior of these vulnerable groups