Drug Abuse in the Global Village
Drug Abuse in the Americas
Drug Abusers Characteristics in the Caribbean
BAHAMAS
According to studies completed in 1988, drug abuse is most common among males. The highest risk group is in the 16-25 age range. Higher rates of abuse are reported among persons having school problems, those experiencing family instability, those from families who traffic or abuse drugs and students with economic problems. Cocaine abusers are reported to come from all social strata. Abuse is most common among those with lower "mental health" levels, those who are not married and those who don't attend church regularly. Cannabis abusers are mostly teenagers and young persons of all social strata, as well as "Rastafarians" (U.N. 1990; Community Survey 1991; Drug Abuse in the Bahamas 1988).
Older students (16 years and over) tend to be the heaviest abusers of most substances. Most abusers of cocaine and cannabis start abuse at about 15 years of age. Heroin abuse appears most common among the 15-18 year old group. More males (8.4 per cent ) than females (0.6 per cent) abuse cannabis annually. Similarly, more males (1.9 per cent) than females (0.6 per cent) abuse cocaine annually. The peak ages of abuse are 17 (8.3 per cent) and 19 (18.2 per cent) years of age (School Survey 1987).
Another survey reports high rates of illicit drug abuse among young males between 18-29 years of age. In New Providence, cannabis annual abuse in this age group was estimated at 15.6 per cent and cocaine abuse was estimated at about 8.9 per cent (Community Survey 1991).
The following table shows the percentages of drug abuse in selected populations in the Bahamas. (CMO, 1990).
Table 1. Reported "Ever" Drug Abuse in Selected Samples in the Bahamas*
|
Cannabis |
Cocaine |
Heroin |
Tranquilizers |
Pills** |
Junior and Seniors |
8.2% |
1.7% |
0.3% |
--- |
7.4% |
College of Bahamas |
11.3% |
3.7% |
0.5% |
5.9% |
--- |
*BGIS Delinquents |
57% |
11% |
--- |
15% |
--- |
*Prison-females |
37.5% |
62.5% |
4.2% |
16.7% |
--- |
*Males 1st offence |
55.6% |
51.1% |
0% |
4.4% |
--- |
*Males Recidivists |
68.9% |
80% |
2.2% |
22.2% |
--- |
*Except for the prison population, percentages are for ever abuse (prison percentage refers to past months prior to incarceration)
** sleeping pills or quaaludes
Source: CMO, 1990.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Abuse is reported highest among people 15-30 years of age, especially those of low socioeconomic background. There is some age variation according to the drug type: cannabis abusers are between 16-35 years old, opiate abusers about 18-40, amphetamine abusers about 16-24, meta-amphetamine and inhalant abusers about 15-30 (U.N. 1990).
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
Abuse of cocaine is reported more prevalent among the 18-40 age range. The percentage of women abusers is unknown. Abuse occurs in all layers of society, but abuse among the poor is more visible (U.N. 1990).