2003, Number 2
Salud Mental 2003; 26 (2)
La demanda de drogas: México en la perspectiva internacional
Medina-Mora E, Rojas GE
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Language: Spanish
References: 28
Page: 1-11
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ABSTRACT
At present it has been widely acknowledged that drug abuse constitutes a global problem and consequently, the need for global solutions and international cooperation has also been recognized. There are no longer well defined producer, transit and consumer countries, as most activities depend on the demand and offer of drug markets worldwide, regulated by cycles of drug consumption patterns, opportunities for illicit crops, production and smuggling of drugs and also of public attitudes regarding drug consumption. The aim of this work is to provide a picture of international trends of drug abuse and in this context, to give a more detailed account of the problem in Mexico. Accurate information and the evaluation of illicit activities are at times unavailable, and the estimates obtained from surveys and other studies carried-out in different countries might differ due to criteria regarding methodologies rather than to variations in rates of use. In spite of these limitations, some global trends have emerged from our analysis of data, mostly drawn from reports of member countries of the United Nations, and from annual reports of the International Narcotics Control Board, as well from epidemiological surveys carried-out in Mexico which have been conducted in various populations since 1970. The United Nations has estimated that worldwide 185 million people use drugs; among these 147.4 million people consume Cannabis (marihuana and hashish), 33.4 million people consume amphetamine type stimulants followed by cocaine (13.4 million people) and 12.9 million people use opiates (heroin, morphine and opium). Cannabis is consumed in 96% of the countries that report to the UN, followed by opiates (87%) and derivates of the coca leave (81%). There is a declining trend in the use of inhalants. Approximately 0.1% of the global population consumes a methamphetamine type known as “ecstasy” (7 million people). These global trends of consumption are also observed in Mexico, although the numbers obtained from the national population surveys are comparatively lower than those. It has been calculated that 0.7% from the urban adult population, fill the dependency criteria. Consequently, there are also geographical variations in the treatment demand due to drug abuse. These variations are related to the availability of substances and socio-cultural factors. The highest demand for treatment due to the use of cocaine is found in the Americas, while in Europe, Asia, and Australia it is due to heroin. In Africa it is due to Cannabis and in Japan to amphetamine type stimulants. The production of illicit opium in Afghanistan is discussed at length in terms of the economical, political and geo-strategic factors that led to the fact that in 1999 it produced 79% of global illicit opium, and although this proportion was reduced in 2000, it is still 70%. Furthermore, the erradication of production in neighboring countries also contributed to make Afghanistan an alternative source of global supply. Additionally, the events of September 2001 in New York have led to the placement of large illicit amounts of opium in the market, and consequently there is a considerable availability of these types of drugs which influences the consumption and demand for treatment. Colombia and Mexico produce opium and heroin mainly for local markets, especially those of North America, and in Mexico an increasing consumption of cocaine and heroin has been observed, mostly in some areas of the border with the United States, as well as an increase of the treatment demand from 12% in 1990, to 46% in 1999 (CIJ 2) due to the use of these substances. The abuse of heroin represents a special problem due to its abuse and dependence liability, as the use of these and other substances used intravenously is the main cause of transmission of infectious diseases, mainly the HIV, and AIDS, hepatitis and tuberculosis. In Mexico, street sold heroin has increased as a result of the border controls, after September 11. Cocaine, which is extracted from the coca leaf that is produced mostly in Colombia, Peru and Bolivia (98% of the world global production) is distributed through the Caribbean region and Mexico. In the decade of 1990 in our country, cocaine consume increased in 400% between adolescents and 300% in adult population, aged 18 to 65 years. The trends of world consumption are stable in the United States, Canada, Colombia and Peru. Its use is decreasing in Bolivia and increasing in some European countries and Mexico. Cannabis is produced worldwide and in almost all latitudes, although the main production of this drug is located in Northern Africa. The higher cannabis users are located in Asia, representing the third part of the world drug users, the fourth part is in America and a fifth part in Africa. At present, marihuana is the drug most frequently used by the Mexican population, showing an increase above 60% between 1988 and 1998. Inhalants are considerably available due to their industrial and household use, but most countries reported decreases in the abuse of inhalants. In Mexico it is still used by children and adolescents who work in the streets, but it shows a decrease in other areas of the population where it has been replaced by cocaine. Synthetic drugs, mainly hallucinogens such as LSD were first used in the 50s of last century, and in the 90s the use of amphetamine type stimulants (ATS) is linked to life style and group identity of youth. Its use gradually spread throughout the world until the mid 90s, when it had to be considered as a global problem, as it has been estimated that it affects worldwide six out of 1000 persons of 15 years of age and above. Approximately 0.1% of the global population within this age range, use methamphetamine form known as “ecstasy” and in Mexico it is considered to affect less than 0.1% of the population from 12 to 65 years of age. In this context, the member States of the United Nations signed a Declaration of Principle on Demand Reduction of Drugs, in which the Guiding Principles of Drug Demand Reduction states the need to develop global policies based on the assessment of the drug problem in each country in order to achieve global agreements that should lead to a balanced approach to the reduction and demand and offer of drugs. This policies must focuse on vulnerable population or in population that need special care, by disseminating information and developing training and coordination programs, in order to ensure the right of all persons to a social welfare state.REFERENCES
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