Carlos is a basuco-drug addict who leaves in the city of Buenaventura, known to be the most violent in Colombia because of the conflict between the various neo-paramilitary organizations. Aged 35, he uses drugs since 15 years, when he lost his mother. At that time, he entered an armed gang and survived to a gunshot. After deciding to leave the gang, he started to use basuco, a drug similar to crack, prepared with cocaine residue and processed with sulfuric acid and kerosene. Basuco is usually mixed with chloroform, ether or potassium carbonate. It is a drug with an accessible price, therefore it is often referred to as "the cocaine for the poor" (0,30$ per dose). Basuco smokers, especially those with low income, often commit crimes, prostitution or sell their belongings to buy the drug. The chemicals contained in the basuco are extremely harmful for the human body (liver and respiratory diseases, deterioration of the skin, muscle weakness, lack of appetite and insomnia, arterial hypertension, severe migraine, tachycardia, ulcerations in the lips and oral cavity, erratic and violent behavior, seizures and serious mental problems, such as delirium and paranoia) and determines a very serious addiction. Basuco has become known as "thief of brains" for its harmful effects on the nervous system, while the drug addicts are commonly referred to as living-dead because of their physical appearance. Living in the streets for such a long time, using drugs and also being often beaten, stabbed and poisoned by other drug addicts, Carlos is known by all the community in Buenaventura. Every day, he wanders across the city to find scrap metals to sell and make money to buy his daily shots of basuco (20/25 doses). Although his family lives in the same city, he never meets them and conducts a solitary life.
